How To Become A Notary Public In Arkansas

The Steps To Get Your Arkansas Notary Commission 

To become a Notary Public in Arkansas,  keep in mind a notary exam is required in Arkansas with a passing score of 80%. To determine if your state requires applicants to complete an exam to become a Notary Public, reach out to your Secretary of State’s office. The exam will test your knowledge of the guidelines and procedures. Commission documents consist of an administered Oath of Office, Signature form, and Free Notary Public Training provided to you by the Secretary of the State’s office. You can download the Arkansas Public Handbook For FREE here!

Submit the following application forms and fee:

• Be at least eighteen years of age.
• Be a resident of or have a place of employment in the State of Arkansas.
• Be able to read and write the English language.
• Successfully complete the Notary Education course and exam.
• Not have had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state.
• Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the last five years.
• Not had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state.
• Not be disqualified to receive commission under Section 22 of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts [14-14A-22 NMSA 1978].
• A judicial officer, the secretary of state or a full-time staff member of the secretary of state’s office, county clerk or deputy county clerk who is not licensed to practice law, may also be commissioned as a notary public to perform notarial acts outside the individual’s scope of duties as an automatic notarial officer.
• e. Go to New Mexico Secretary of State All the forms are available on the secretary of states.

How long does it take to get my Notary Certificate?

In Arkansas, the time to obtain your notary certificate could be 3-6 weeks. Costs and hours of class time will vary by state. If your state requirements are minimal the process would be closer to 4 weeks. A few states do require training and classes in advance of completing an exam, such as California. How exams are administered and what training or courses are required vary by state. 

To become an applicant, you are required to complete an application. To qualify, you must: 

• be registered to vote in the parish in which you seek commission;
• be a resident citizen or alien of this state;
• not have been convicted of a felony and not been pardoned; 
• be able to read, write, speak and be sufficiently knowledgeable of the English language;

What is the process to obtain a Notary Commission?

The Notary process varies by state because notaries are commissioned and regulated at the individual state level. All notaries should check with their Secretary of the State to fully understand what is required to obtain their notary commission. For those states that require training, they must be state-approved service providers. While few states require in-person training, it is encouraged to obtain educational support on your own. You can do this through a service provider or organization that teaches practical information to learn how to perform official duties, record notarial acts, or obtain a mentor.  

Can I take my Notary Exam online?

Yes, in Arkansas a Free online training option is available — in most states, a third-party proctor’s exams, so are done in person. You can get more information on exam schedules and find locations with proctors on your state’s website. Be prepared to bring payment and your identification. 

As with any exam, you want to pass on the first try, so you need to prepare. The most important first step is to have a study plan. If you plan appropriately, you will be prepared and increase your chances of passing the notary exam.

Take notes, highlight the problematic parts, and write down difficult terms. Once you complete this part, you should review it to reinforce what you learned. The best way to approach the exam is to take practice tests. You can find numerous tests online.

Once you have passed your exam, the next step in Arkansas is to obtain a $7,500 surety bond and $20 application fee. This protects consumers if you make an error. You should consider purchasing what is known as E&O insurance, as this will protect you against claims relating to any mistakes you may have made.

Passing your notary exam and ensuring you have all the requirements to perform your notary duties opens the door to many opportunities as a Notary Public. Good luck!

Now I Have My Commission What Next?

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