How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Arkansas (2026)

Overview

The $25 electronic notary commission application fee is standard. Arkansas commissions are 10-year terms – among the longer terms nationally. Arkansas residency requirements have a notable provision: neighboring state residents who are employed or conducting business in Arkansas are eligible, as are nonresident spouses of U.S. military service members with Arkansas connections.

Arkansas RON Legal Framework

Arkansas RON requirements under Arkansas law (effective April 29, 2021):

• Active Arkansas notary public commission (10-year term) with $7,500 surety bond
• Arkansas residency, or residency in a neighboring state employed/conducting business in Arkansas, or nonresident military spouse with Arkansas connections
• Completion of mandatory training course with required passing exam
• Electronic notary commission application submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State
• Contract with a state-approved RON technology provider
• Two-way real-time audio-visual communication for every remote session
• Identity verification using approved methods
• Electronic journal entry required per notarial act
• Audio-visual recording retained per state requirements

Arkansas’s $7,500 Bond Requirement

Arkansas requires a $7,500 surety bond for the traditional notary commission. This bond covers RON activities performed under the same commission. Annual premium for a $7,500 bond typically runs $50-$100 through NNA, Notary Rotary, or similar providers. Compare to the national range:

• Nevada: $25,000 bond
• Pennsylvania: $10,000 bond
• Missouri: $10,000 bond
• Arkansas: $7,500 bond
• Wisconsin: $1,000 bond

Proof of the bond is submitted with the traditional commission application – before the RON application.

Arkansas’s Mandatory Training Exam

Arkansas is one of the few states that requires both a training course AND a passing exam as part of the RON authorization process. The exam is not optional. What this means:

• You must pass the exam with a sufficient score to proceed with the electronic notary commission application
• The exam covers Arkansas RON law, remote session procedures, and identity verification
• National “no-exam” RON training courses that other states accept do not substitute for Arkansas’s required training and exam
• Verify the current approved training provider and exam format at sos.arkansas.gov/notary

Arkansas’s 10-Year Commission Term

Arkansas notary commissions are 10-year terms – tied with West Virginia and South Carolina for the longest terms in the country. For RON notaries, this means up to 10 years of operation before the commission renewal disrupts RON authorization. The $20 traditional commission application fee, combined with the 10-year term, makes the per-year commission cost very low.

Arkansas Traditional Commission: Residency Requirements

Arkansas has detailed residency provisions:

• Arkansas residents: Standard application
• Neighboring state residents: Must be employed or conducting business in Arkansas (neighboring states: Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma)
• Military spouses: Nonresident spouses of U.S. military service members employed or conducting business in Arkansas (effective July 25, 2019) – must submit U.S. Department of Defense documentation
• Permanent residents: Must submit a recorded Declaration of Domicile

Arkansas-Approved RON Technology Providers

Arkansas requires contracting with a state-approved RON technology provider. Platforms that have been approved for Arkansas include:

• Notarize (Proof) – high consumer session volume
• NotaryLive – notary scheduling and session tools
• DocVerify – enterprise and financial document workflows

Verify the current Arkansas-approved provider list at sos.arkansas.gov/notary before applying.

Common Mistakes Arkansas RON Notaries Make

• Skipping the exam or treating it as optional – Arkansas requires passing the exam
• Not having the $7,500 bond in place before the traditional commission application
• Using a non-approved RON provider without checking the current SoS list
• Performing remote sessions before receiving the electronic notary commission

Before You Start

Arkansas RON requires the electronic notary commission before any remote session. Ensure the $7,500 bond and traditional commission are in place, complete the mandatory training and pass the exam, contract with an approved provider, submit the application with a $25 fee, and wait for confirmation. Official reference: Arkansas Secretary of State – Notary.

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