Become an Arkansas notary public with Notary Rotary

Qualifications:

Under Arkansas law, a notary public is appointed and commissioned by the Secretary of State.  The following are requirements to become a notary public for the State of Arkansas.

• The applicant must be a legal resident of Arkansas, or a legal resident of an adjoining state and employed in Arkansas. The commission will be issued for the county of residence or, in the case of out-of-state notaries, the county of employment and will be valid for the entire state.
• The applicant must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien. In the case of a permanent resident alien, a Declaration of Domicile form must be included with the application. This form can be downloaded here: Arkansas Declaration of Domicile for Notaries Public
• The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• The applicant must be able to read and write English.
• The applicant must not have had a prior notary commission revoked in the past ten (10) years.
• The applicant must either reside in or be employed in the State of Arkansas.

Arkansas notaries public are appointed for a commission term of ten (10) years. For additional information, visit the Arkansas Secretary of State Notary Public web site.

Step 1: Complete the Notary Public application

You must start the Arkansas Notary Public Application process on the Secretary of State web site:

https://bcs.sos.arkansas.gov/Account/

The web site will generate a paper application containing a barcode at the top. You must download the application form and complete it according to the included instructions.  The date of commission, dated no more than thirty days prior, should be included. You will need to have your signature on the application form witnessed and notarized by a notary public or other authorized official.  The Find a Notary feature from Notary Rotary may be helpful in contacting a notary public.

Step 2: Purchase a $7,500 Arkansas Notary Bond from Notary Rotary, Inc.

Each applicant for the office of notary public for the State of Arkansas is required to purchase a 10-year $7,500 notary public surety bond. Please visit the Arkansas Notary Supplies store to purchase your official bond.  To order, enter the required information, scroll down through the page to locate the $7,500 Arkansas notary bond and oath form, and follow the instructions through checkout. Once you receive your official Arkansas notary bond from Notary Rotary, Inc. make a copy of the actual bond to include with your application.

Step 3: Check your Application Package and send to the Secretary of State's office

Your application materials should include the following:

• Your completed application form
• A copy of your official surety bond
• A $20 check or money order, for the application fee, made payable to the Secretary of State
• If you are a permanent resident alien you will also need to include your completed Declaration of Domicile form.

Once you have verified the above items are present and completed correctly, send them to:

Secretary of State
Business and Commercial Services
State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1094

Step 4: Receive your three originals of the Notary Public Certificate/Notary Public Oath forms and prepare them for filing

• One original Certificate/Oath form, as well as the original surety bond, must be filed with the Circuit Clerk in the county of commission.
• You will retain one original of the Certificate/Oath forms after the Clerk signs it for your own records.
• Either you or the Circuit Clerk will need to return the final original completed certificate/oath form to the Secretary of State. You will need to check with the Circuit Clerk for instructions as each county handles this differently.

Step 5: Order your official seal and any other supplies you may need from Notary Rotary, Inc.

To order the remainder of your supplies click here: Notary Supplies.

Enter the store, fill out all required information and place your order for an official Arkansas notary stamp, and any other supplies you may need. Arkansas law does not require a notary to keep a record of his/her official acts, but it is recommended to do so. A register will offer an excellent way of recalling past notarial acts. If a notary is called upon to testify in court, a register may help establish what actually took place. The Modern Journal of Notarial Events, also available in the online store, functions perfectly as an Arkansas notary journal, was specifically designed for this purpose, and contains many elements not available in other registers.

Once you receive your seal and supplies you will be ready to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Arkansas.