Arkansas (AR)
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Research Arkansas notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Arkansas notary details against the official state database.
Visit Arkansas Official Notary Database
How to Research a Arkansas Notary
Arkansas provides an online notary public directory search through the Business and Commercial Services (BCS) portal.
To verify an Arkansas notary commission:
1. Go to https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-notary-public-directory-search/
or visit the BCS portal at https://bcs.sos.arkansas.gov/
2. Enter the notary's name and search the directory.
3. Review the results for matching name, commission number, county, and expiration date.
4. If the online search is unavailable, call the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010.
Reference: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/notary-public-and-enotary
To verify an Arkansas notary commission:
1. Go to https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-notary-public-directory-search/
or visit the BCS portal at https://bcs.sos.arkansas.gov/
2. Enter the notary's name and search the directory.
3. Review the results for matching name, commission number, county, and expiration date.
4. If the online search is unavailable, call the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010.
Reference: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/notary-public-and-enotary
How to Verify a Arkansas Notary's Signature
Arkansas notaries file their oath of office and bond with the Recorder of Deeds (typically the Circuit Clerk) in the county where they are commissioned.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county of commission (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the Circuit Clerk / Recorder of Deeds in that county and request to compare the document signature against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. You may also contact the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010 to confirm commission status.
Reference: A.C.A. ss. 21-14-101 et seq.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county of commission (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the Circuit Clerk / Recorder of Deeds in that county and request to compare the document signature against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. You may also contact the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010 to confirm commission status.
Reference: A.C.A. ss. 21-14-101 et seq.
Verifying Older Arkansas Documents
The Arkansas BCS notary directory may include both active and expired commissions.
1. Search the BCS portal at https://bcs.sos.arkansas.gov/ -- expired commission data may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010 for historical commission records.
3. You may also contact the Circuit Clerk / Recorder of Deeds in the county where the notary filed their oath and bond.
Commission term: 10 years.
1. Search the BCS portal at https://bcs.sos.arkansas.gov/ -- expired commission data may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Arkansas Secretary of State at (501) 682-1010 for historical commission records.
3. You may also contact the Circuit Clerk / Recorder of Deeds in the county where the notary filed their oath and bond.
Commission term: 10 years.
Arkansas Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Arkansas requires every notary to use an official seal on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (A.C.A. s. 21-14-107):
- Must include: (i) the notary's name exactly as the official signature, (ii) the county where the bond is filed, (iii) the words "Notary Public" and "Arkansas", (iv) the commission expiration date, (v) the commission number issued by the Secretary of State
- The seal must NOT include the Seal of the State of Arkansas or an outline of the state
- Ink color: black or blue, capable of photographic reproduction
- Arkansas notaries have statewide jurisdiction regardless of the county where their bond is filed
Seal requirements (A.C.A. s. 21-14-107):
- Must include: (i) the notary's name exactly as the official signature, (ii) the county where the bond is filed, (iii) the words "Notary Public" and "Arkansas", (iv) the commission expiration date, (v) the commission number issued by the Secretary of State
- The seal must NOT include the Seal of the State of Arkansas or an outline of the state
- Ink color: black or blue, capable of photographic reproduction
- Arkansas notaries have statewide jurisdiction regardless of the county where their bond is filed
Contacting a Arkansas Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Arkansas — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Arkansas does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts, although the Arkansas Secretary of State recommends that each notary keep a register or journal as a best practice. Electronic notaries, however, have more extensive recordkeeping requirements.
Journal requirement:
- Arkansas notaries are not required by law to keep a record of their official acts for traditional paper notarizations (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-101 et seq.).
- The Secretary of State recommends that each notary keep a register or journal, which may be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.
- Electronic and online notaries must maintain detailed journals and audio-visual recordings under the Electronic Notary Public Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-301 et seq.).
Electronic notary requirements:
- Electronic notaries must record identity verification details, including printed name and address of each credible witness, a description of identification documents provided, and an audio and video copy of the performance of the notarial act (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-309).
- Electronic notaries must maintain recordings and records in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State.
Contacting a notary:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. There is no statutory right to inspect or request copies of a traditional notary's voluntary journal.
- For electronic notarizations, records may be available, but the statute does not establish a public right to inspect. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Arkansas notaries serve ten-year terms (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-101).
- There is no statutory requirement for journal disposition upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: AR Secretary of State Notary Section — (501) 682-3409 or toll-free (888) 233-0325, or notary@sos.arkansas.gov
Relevant statutes: Ark. Code Ann. §§ 21-14-101 to 21-14-314
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Arkansas does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts, although the Arkansas Secretary of State recommends that each notary keep a register or journal as a best practice. Electronic notaries, however, have more extensive recordkeeping requirements.
Journal requirement:
- Arkansas notaries are not required by law to keep a record of their official acts for traditional paper notarizations (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-101 et seq.).
- The Secretary of State recommends that each notary keep a register or journal, which may be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.
- Electronic and online notaries must maintain detailed journals and audio-visual recordings under the Electronic Notary Public Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-301 et seq.).
Electronic notary requirements:
- Electronic notaries must record identity verification details, including printed name and address of each credible witness, a description of identification documents provided, and an audio and video copy of the performance of the notarial act (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-309).
- Electronic notaries must maintain recordings and records in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State.
Contacting a notary:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. There is no statutory right to inspect or request copies of a traditional notary's voluntary journal.
- For electronic notarizations, records may be available, but the statute does not establish a public right to inspect. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Arkansas notaries serve ten-year terms (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-101).
- There is no statutory requirement for journal disposition upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: AR Secretary of State Notary Section — (501) 682-3409 or toll-free (888) 233-0325, or notary@sos.arkansas.gov
Relevant statutes: Ark. Code Ann. §§ 21-14-101 to 21-14-314
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.