How Do You Become An Online Notary In Arkansas?
Effective April 29, 2021, Arkansas Notaries who possess an active Notary Public Commission now have the opportunity to enroll for remote online notarizations (RONs). If you’re interested in becoming an AR remote online Notary, adhere to the following steps:
- Maintain your existing commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Fill out the Online Application for the Electronic Notary Commission.
- Forward your completed application and the $25 fee payment to the Secretary of State.
- Successfully complete the mandatory training course and pass the associated exam.
- Establish an agreement with a RON provider approved by the state.
Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Arkansas and approved with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state’s local Online Notary laws!
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Arkansas (Get your Notary Commission)
To become an Arkansas Notary, you should follow these outlined steps:
- Ensure that you satisfy all the state’s prerequisites (see below).
- Obtain a $7,500 surety bond.
- Register an account on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website and successfully pass the online examination.
- Fill out an application form, which includes an affidavit that requires your signature and notarization.
- Submit the application, a copy of your bond, along with the $20 fee to the Secretary of State’s office.
- Procure your official Notary seal.
- Acquire a Notary journal and consider obtaining E&O insurance (although optional, it is highly recommended).
- If desired, engage in continuing education or seek guidance from Notary experts (again, optional but highly recommended).
Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Arkansas.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Arkansas?
To qualify for a Notary Public Commission in Arkansas, applicants must fulfill these requirements:
- Be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen or possess permanent legal residency status.
- Either be a legal resident of Arkansas, a resident of a neighboring state employed or conducting business in Arkansas, or a nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member employed or conducting business in Arkansas.
- Possess the ability to read and write in English.
- Have not had their Notary commission revoked within the last 10 years.
- Have no felony convictions on record.
For permanent resident aliens, submission of a recorded Declaration of Domicile with the application is required. Additionally, as of July 25, 2019, nonresident spouses of U.S. military service members employed or conducting business in Arkansas are eligible to apply for an Arkansas Notary Commission, provided they furnish specific U.S. Department of Defense documentation as part of their application.
For further details, consult the Notary Public and eNotary Handbook or the Arkansas SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Arkansas?
Yes, as of April 2021, Arkansas recognizes the legality of Remote Online Notarization (RON) services. Senate Bill 340 paves the way for online notaries to conduct notarizations remotely. Nevertheless, aspiring online notaries are required to hold a conventional notary commission and successfully complete the RON notary training course and exam. Additionally, they must apply for an online notary commission through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office.
Arkansas Online Notary FAQ’s
Requirements for Becoming a Remote Notary in Arkansas
Before you can apply to perform remote notarizations, you must first meet Arkansas’ requirement of holding a traditional Notary Public commission. Notaries must be at least 18 years old; be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.; be a legal resident of Arkansas, a resident of a bordering state and employed or operating a business in Arkansas, or a nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member employed or operating a business in Arkansas; and be able to read and write English. You must not have had a Notary commission revoked in the past 10 years nor have ever been convicted of a felony.
Training Requirements for Online Notaries
Arkansas Notaries must take a training course from an approved education provider.
Is there an Exam for Arkansas Remote Notaries?
Yes, passing the exam is required. You may take the exam twice within a 12-month period. If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll need to restart the application process.
Tools and Technology for Online Notarizations in Arkansas:
In order to provide remote Notary services, you’ll need a computer, webcam, microphone, and secure connection to the internet. You’ll need to contract with a RON provider that meets state requirements.
Other tools you’ll need include an electronic seal, an electronic journal, and a digital certificate containing your electronic signature. These items must be compatible with your chosen RON provider.
Is an Additional Surety Bond Required?
No, a second bond is not required to perform remote online notarizations in Arkansas.
E&O Insurance in Arkansas
While not required, an E&O insurance policy is strongly recommended. Unlike a surety bond that protects the public, an E&O policy protects you from legal fees that arise from inadvertent errors during notarizations, distinct from the surety bond, which primarily protects the public.
What to Expect as a Notary?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally, the busiest time is tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly notarized and witnessed. Always ensure documents contain all of the necessary information. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those who are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Arkansas?
As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.
BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your own rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Arkansas?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Arkansas notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer your questions.
Becoming an online notary can be a great way to supplement your income and make a positive impact on the community. As an online notary, you get to decide which platform to use for finding clients.
BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and for an independent notary looking to grow their own business. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.
