It is a common misconception that because a renewing notary in Arkansas has previously been sworn in they do not need to be sworn in again. The state requires ALL notaries to be sworn in each time they apply to become a notary public, whether they are ... It is a common misconception that because a renewing notary in Arkansas has previously been sworn in they do not need to be sworn in again. The state requires ALL notaries to be sworn in each time they apply to become a notary public, whether they are first-time applicants or renewals.
Once you complete the application, we will mail your information to the Secretary of State for processing. If approved, they will then return your commission certificate and oath form to your bonding agency, and we will mail your bond, commission certificate, oath form and instructions to you. The packet we mail you will contain everything you need for your swearing in process, including three copies of your commission certificate—one for your records, one for the county clerk and one for the Secretary of State.
Take your original bond and your copies of your commission certificate to your county’s recorder of deeds (usually, the county clerk). Regardless of who purchases the bond, you will be sworn in at the county clerk’s office of the county you reside in. For example, your company pays for you to renew your commission and you work in Benton County, but you live in Pulaski County. You would go to the county clerk of Pulaski for your swearing in.
It is your responsibility to mail your commission certificate to the Secretary of State’s Office after you have completed your swearing in. Some county clerk offices will mail your certificate for you, but ensure before you leave. You have thirty days from the date your commission was authorized to return your certificate with your swearing in information to the Secretary of State.
Your commission is NOT effective until you have completed the swearing in process. If you are a notary in Arkansas and are using your notary seal without completing the swearing in process, your seal is not active and your notarial acts are not valid.
Once you are sworn in, you will receive, in essence, a wallet-sized commission card. It will contain your name, county, expiration date and commission number. It allows you to have proof of your notary public certification at all times, in an easy to carry form. The wallet card is your signal you have completed the steps for successfully registering as an Arkansas notary public.
Though, you have thirty days, if you still have your bond and you have forgotten to be sworn in or were unaware you still required it, please contact your county clerk and discuss the matter with them.
If you have more questions about the application process in Arkansas, please call us at 800-821-0823 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Once you complete the application, we will mail your information to the Secretary of State for processing. If approved, they will then return your commission certificate and oath form to your bonding agency, and we will mail your bond, commission certificate, oath form and instructions to you. The packet we mail you will contain everything you need for your swearing in process, including three copies of your commission certificate—one for your records, one for the county clerk and one for the Secretary of State.
Take your original bond and your copies of your commission certificate to your county’s recorder of deeds (usually, the county clerk). Regardless of who purchases the bond, you will be sworn in at the county clerk’s office of the county you reside in. For example, your company pays for you to renew your commission and you work in Benton County, but you live in Pulaski County. You would go to the county clerk of Pulaski for your swearing in.
It is your responsibility to mail your commission certificate to the Secretary of State’s Office after you have completed your swearing in. Some county clerk offices will mail your certificate for you, but ensure before you leave. You have thirty days from the date your commission was authorized to return your certificate with your swearing in information to the Secretary of State.
Your commission is NOT effective until you have completed the swearing in process. If you are a notary in Arkansas and are using your notary seal without completing the swearing in process, your seal is not active and your notarial acts are not valid.
Once you are sworn in, you will receive, in essence, a wallet-sized commission card. It will contain your name, county, expiration date and commission number. It allows you to have proof of your notary public certification at all times, in an easy to carry form. The wallet card is your signal you have completed the steps for successfully registering as an Arkansas notary public.
Though, you have thirty days, if you still have your bond and you have forgotten to be sworn in or were unaware you still required it, please contact your county clerk and discuss the matter with them.
If you have more questions about the application process in Arkansas, please call us at 800-821-0823 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..