Arkansas notary surety bond

A Arkansas notary surety bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, that helps pay a person who is harmed by a mistake or by misconduct of a notary. The bond is for the public. It is not for the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary usually has to pay the surety back.

Arkansas notary bond at a glance

Bond amount

$7,500

Commission term

Ten years

Commissioned by

Arkansas Secretary of State

Bond payable to

The State of Arkansas

Where the bond goes

Filed with the Recorder of Deeds in the notary's county of commission

What Arkansas requires

1. Apply to the Arkansas Secretary of State.
2. Buy a $7,500 surety bond from a company licensed in Arkansas, issued for the same county as your application.
3. Take your certificate and original bond in person to the Recorder of Deeds in your county of commission.
4. File the completed certificate and bond with the Recorder of Deeds.

Arkansas runs a ten year term, longer than almost any other state — most run four.

The county on your bond has to match the county on your application. A mismatch is a common reason applications are rejected.

A notary bond does not replace notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The bond pays the public. E&O protects you.

State rules change. Always check with the Arkansas commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-12.

Apply online in minutes. Same day issue is available in most cases.

A notary bond protects the public. E&O insurance is intended to protect you, the notary, against a claim that comes from an error, a mistake or alleged misconduct in your notarial work. Many Arkansas notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.