Arkansas Notary Bond
$7,500 • 10-Year Commission • Best Value in the US
Arkansas offers one of the longest notary bond commissions in the United States at 10 years per A.C.A. §21-14-101. The $7,500 bond covers the full decade, making the annualized cost as low as $3.50/year. Whether you need this notary bond or are exploring all surety bond solutions, we handle Arkansas applicants with same-day submission.
Annualized Cost
As low as $3.50/year — most applicants pay $35-$100 for the full 10-year term. Compare that to states with 4-year terms where you pay every renewal cycle.
Dual-Filing Required
File with BOTH county (original) AND SOS (copy). Commission is not valid until both filings are complete.
- Who requires it: Arkansas Secretary of State (A.C.A. §21-14-101).
- Amount: $7,500 for a 10-year commission term.
- Typical cost (estimate): about $35–$100 for the full 10-year commission term. The surety sets the final price.
- Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.
The Dual-Filing Process
Arkansas uniquely requires filing with BOTH the county AND the SOS. For how bonds work, see our guide. New to bonds? Read the surety bond basics or our full how to get a surety bond walkthrough.
Pass Online Exam (80%)
30 questions via the SOS portal (bcs.sos.arkansas.gov, launched Jan 25, 2024). Must score 24/30.
Purchase $7,500 Bond
Get an instant quote through BuySuretyBonds.com. Bond covers the full 10-year term.
Submit Application Online
Upload a COPY of your bond to the SOS portal with the $20 application fee.
File Original at Courthouse
Take your original bond + oath certificates to the Recorder of Deeds (Circuit Clerk) in your county of commission. Pay county recording fee (~$15-20).
Dual-Filing Complete
Commission valid only when BOTH county and SOS have your documents. Statewide authority once active.
Official Arkansas Requirements
"Each person commissioned as a notary public shall give bond in the sum of $7,500 for a term of 10 years."Arkansas Secretary of State • A.C.A. §21-14-101
How Much Does an Arkansas Notary Bond Cost?
The $7,500 Arkansas notary bond typically costs $35-$100 for the full 10-year commission term. Many notary bonds don’t require a credit check — premium is based on the bond amount, not your credit score. This covers your entire decade-long commission with no annual renewals, making it one of the lowest annualized costs in the country (~$3.50-$10/year). For a detailed breakdown, see our surety bond cost guide or use the notary bond calculator.
Arkansas Notary Bond Premium by Credit
Based on a $7,500 (10-year term) bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 0.5-1%$35-50
- Good (660-719)Rate: 1-2%$50-75
- Fair (600-659)Rate: 2-4%$75-100
- Below Average (500-599)Rate: 4-8%$100-150
- Poor (below 500)Rate: 8-15%$150-225
Premium covers the full 10-year commission — not annual. Annualized, that is often only a few dollars a year.
Eligibility
- Age 18+
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Arkansas resident OR adjacent-state worker/business in AR
- Read and write English
- No felony conviction
- No prior commission revoked within 10 years
- Pass 80% exam (24/30)
eNotary / RON (Act 1047)
Authorized under Act 1047 of 2021. Must be in AR; signer can be remote.
$25 eNotary amendment + $30 ASN training/exam.
10 approved providers (Expedite, Pavaso, SIGNiX, Notarize, Blue Notary, etc.).
A/V retention: 5 years by vendor. Refresher every 2 years.
RON fraud = Class D felony.
Seal + No Journal
Seal: Name, county, “Notary Public,” “Arkansas,” expiration, commission number. Blue or black ink. No state seal/outline.
No mandatory journal — recommended but not required by statute for traditional notarization.
Compare neighbors: Texas ($10K, 4yr), Oklahoma ($10K, 4yr), Louisiana ($50K, lifetime), Mississippi ($25K), Missouri ($10K), Tennessee ($10K). See all bond types, cost guide, or notary requirements by state. Compare bond vs. insurance for your notary practice.
Watch: Arkansas Notary Bond — $7,500 (10-year term)
Arkansas has the longest notary bond term in the nation — 10 years. The commission is 4 years but the bond covers a full decade. Here's how Arkansas notary commissioning works and what a $7,500 bond actually costs over time.
Key moments in this video
Arkansas Notary Bond — FAQs
Is the Arkansas notary commission really 10 years?
Yes — Arkansas has one of the longest notary commission terms in the US at 10 years per A.C.A. §21-14-101. Most states are 4 years. Your $7,500 bond covers the full 10-year term, making the annualized cost extremely low (~$3.50-$10/year).
What is the dual-filing requirement?
Arkansas requires filing with BOTH the county (Recorder of Deeds/Circuit Clerk) AND the Secretary of State. You upload a copy to the SOS online portal (bcs.sos.arkansas.gov) during application, then file the original bond at the courthouse. Commission isn't valid until BOTH are done.
What exam does Arkansas require?
30-question online exam, must score 80% (24/30). No pre-exam education is required for traditional notaries. eNotary applicants need a separate $30 ASN training/exam course. The SOS exam is part of the application process at bcs.sos.arkansas.gov (launched January 25, 2024).
Does Arkansas have Remote Online Notarization?
Yes — authorized under Act 1047 of 2021. The notary must be physically in Arkansas; the signer can be remote. eNotary amendment: $25 ($20 + $5 convenience fee). Requires ASN training ($30). 10 approved RON providers. A/V retention: 5 years by the solution provider. RON fraud is a Class D felony.
Can non-residents get an Arkansas notary commission?
Yes — adjacent-state residents employed or operating a business in Arkansas may apply (Act 215 of 2019). Military spouses also qualify. You must work or do business in Arkansas, not just live near the border.
What are the total costs to become an Arkansas notary?
Approximately $90-$180: $35-100 bond premium (10 years), $20 SOS application fee, ~$15-20 county recorder filing fee (varies by county, typically $15 first page + $5/additional). Seal: ~$20-40. eNotary adds $55 ($25 amendment + $30 training). The 10-year term makes it one of the best values in the country.
Who needs an Arkansas notary bond?
Arkansas notaries public. It is required by the Arkansas Secretary of State (A.C.A. §21-14-101). The bond amount is $7,500 for a 10-year commission term.
How do I get an Arkansas notary bond?
Request a quote with the form on this page. A licensed agent submits your application to a Treasury-listed surety carrier; once the carrier issues your bond, file it as the requiring agency directs.
What happens after I apply?
A licensed agent submits your application the same day it arrives; most quotes come back within one business day. The carrier decides approval and the final premium, and you pay only when your bond is issued.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks full reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you — it covers your legal defense and settlement costs. Most Arkansas notaries carry both. Learn more in our bond vs. insurance comparison.
Have questions about surety bonds? Read what is a surety bond, check the bond vs. cash deposit comparison, or browse the surety bond learning center.
More Surety Bond Resources
Official Arkansas Sources
Estimate Your Arkansas Notary Bond Premium
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Other Arkansas Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Arkansas
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DMV dealer licensing
NMLS mortgage licensing
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Executors, administrators & guardians
FMCSA broker authority
Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
Louisiana requirements, statute, and bond amount
Mississippi requirements, statute, and bond amount
Missouri requirements, statute, and bond amount
Oklahoma requirements, statute, and bond amount
Tennessee requirements, statute, and bond amount
Texas requirements, statute, and bond amount
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
A Decade of Coverage from One Bond
$7,500 Arkansas notary bond • 10-year term • ~$3.50/year at best rate • Instant quote