Arkansas has one of the longest notary commission terms in the country — 10 years. Combined with the mandatory online exam (80% pass) and $7,500 bond, it's a credentialed-professional state. Once you're in, you're in for a decade.
Under Arkansas Code Title 21, the requirements are:
Arkansas is a mid-cost state for startup, with most of the expense going to the bond and exam preparation. The 10-year commission term spreads these costs over a longer period than most states.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Required | $20 |
| $7,500 surety bond (10-year term) | Required | $50–$100 |
| Online notary exam | Required | Free (via SOS portal) |
| County recorder filing fee | Required (varies) | $10–$25 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | Optional but recommended | $10–$25 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $110–$210 |
Arkansas's 10-year commission term is one of the longest in the country (only Indiana's 8 years and Louisiana's lifetime exceed it). The longer term means fewer renewals — once commissioned, you're set for a decade if you maintain your bond.
The process requires the exam first, then the bond, then the application.
Go to the Arkansas Secretary of State website and create an account. If you created one before January 25, 2024, you must create a new one (the system was rebuilt).
The exam has 30 multiple-choice questions; you need 24 correct (80%) to pass. Study materials are provided through the SOS portal. Take it as many times as needed until you pass.
Buy your 10-year, $7,500 bond before submitting your application. Cost is typically $50-$100 due to the longer term.
Your notary public application must be notarized by another active Arkansas notary in good standing before submission.
Upload your signed bond, application, exam results, and any required documents. Pay the $20 state filing fee.
Once approved, you'll receive two Oath of Commission Certificates. Take both with your bond to the County Recorder of Deeds or Circuit Clerk in your county. Take the oath, pay the county filing fee.
Return one original Oath of Commission Certificate (with the circuit clerk's file mark) to the Secretary of State to complete the commissioning process.
Arkansas notaries can perform these acts statewide:
Arkansas allows notaries to set reasonable fees — no statutory hard caps:
Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers) are the main markets. Bentonville's status as Walmart's headquarters creates a unique high-volume corporate documentation market. NW Arkansas overall is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country with strong real estate notary demand.
Arkansas authorized RON. To perform RON in Arkansas:
Your Arkansas commission is valid for 10 years — one of the longest terms in the country.
Renewal is the same process as initial application: retake the online exam, purchase a new $7,500 bond, submit a notarized application, pay the $20 fee. The 10-year term means infrequent renewals, but plan ahead — your bond and exam are real requirements at every cycle.
Arkansas adopted a 10-year term to reduce administrative overhead — fewer renewals to process at the state level. The long term is a meaningful advantage for serious notaries who want stability. The trade-off is more upfront investment (bond, exam, application) per commission cycle.
The exam is 30 questions, 80% required to pass (24/30 correct). It's open-book using the Arkansas-provided study materials, and you can retake it as many times as needed. Most well-prepared applicants pass on first attempt.
Yes. Your commission is statewide once you've completed the oath at your county recorder.
Yes. Arkansas allows residents of adjoining states (TN, MS, LA, TX, OK, MO) who are employed by or operate a business in Arkansas to obtain an AR commission. You'd be commissioned in the AR county where your employer is located.
Arkansas requires that your initial notary application be notarized by another current Arkansas notary in good standing before submission. This is a character/identity verification step — the notarizing notary attests that you appeared before them and signed the application yourself.
If a claim is paid against your bond, you must reimburse the surety company. If the bond is fully exhausted, you must obtain a new $7,500 bond to maintain your commission. E&O insurance is strongly recommended for personal protection — it pays separately from the bond.
Arkansas's 10-year commission term is one of the strongest advantages of any state — minimal renewal overhead for long-term notaries. Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, Fayetteville) is a particularly strong market. We're recruiting founding-cohort Arkansas notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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