Arkansas notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in Arkansas.

1. What is the minimum age for an Arkansas notary commission?

   1. 19
   2. 25
   3. 21
   4. 18
   Show the answer

   D. 18

   Handbook p. 1.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 1 (sos.arkansas.gov)

2. Which applicant can qualify without living in Arkansas?

   1. A resident of any state who held a notary commission there
   2. A resident of any state who owns rental property or land somewhere in Arkansas
   3. A resident of an adjoining state who works or runs a business in Arkansas
   4. Anyone who has an Arkansas mailing address or post office box
   Show the answer

   C. A resident of an adjoining state who works or runs a business in Arkansas

   Handbook p. 1; the nonresident spouse of a military service member working or running a business in Arkansas may also qualify.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 1 (sos.arkansas.gov)

3. Which citizenship status does an Arkansas applicant need?

   1. A valid work visa or permit issued by any country
   2. U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
   3. Any status, with an Arkansas address
   4. U.S. citizen born in the United States
   Show the answer

   B. U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien

   Handbook p. 1.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 1 (sos.arkansas.gov)

4. What surety bond amount does an Arkansas notary need?

   1. $5,000
   2. $7,500
   3. $10,000
   4. $15,000
   Show the answer

   B. $7,500

   Handbook p. 2.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 2 (sos.arkansas.gov)

5. Which source may issue the Arkansas notary bond?

   1. A relative of the applicant who signs a sworn personal guarantee
   2. Any bank or credit union, as long as the account holder signs as the bond's surety
   3. The Secretary of State, which issues the bonds after the exam
   4. An Arkansas-authorized surety insurer or a qualifying Arkansas corporation
   Show the answer

   D. An Arkansas-authorized surety insurer or a qualifying Arkansas corporation

   Handbook p. 2.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 2 (sos.arkansas.gov)

6. The name on the surety bond must match:

   1. The name the applicant wants on the seal
   2. The employer's legal business name on file
   3. The name on the applicant's lease
   4. The applicant's maiden name
   Show the answer

   A. The name the applicant wants on the seal

   Handbook p. 2; the FAQ adds that the name must match exactly across application, bond and signature.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 2 (sos.arkansas.gov)

7. How long is an Arkansas notary commission?

   1. 5 years
   2. 8 years
   3. 10 years
   4. 4 years
   Show the answer

   C. 10 years

   Handbook p. 6.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 6 (sos.arkansas.gov)

8. How early may a renewal application be filed?

   1. Only after the commission has expired
   2. No earlier than 30 days before expiration
   3. Any time during the final year of the term
   4. No earlier than 60 days before expiration
   Show the answer

   D. No earlier than 60 days before expiration

   Notary Public FAQ: earlier submissions are rejected.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public FAQ (sos.arkansas.gov)

9. What does an Arkansas renewal require?

   1. Only the fee; the bond and exam carry over
   2. A new exam only; the bond lasts for life
   3. A new bond, the fee and a passed exam
   4. Proof of 10 hours of continuing education
   Show the answer

   C. A new bond, the fee and a passed exam

   Handbook p. 6.

   Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 6 (sos.arkansas.gov)

10. Which seal types may an Arkansas notary use?

    1. A wax seal or a hand-drawn emblem
    2. A digital image pasted on paper
    3. A rubber stamp or a metal embosser
    4. A signature line with no seal
    Show the answer

    C. A rubber stamp or a metal embosser

    Handbook p. 7.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 7 (sos.arkansas.gov)

11. What ink color must the Arkansas seal use?

    1. Black only
    2. Purple
    3. Any dark color
    4. Blue or black
    Show the answer

    D. Blue or black

    Handbook p. 7; required since 2013 (FAQ).

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 7 (sos.arkansas.gov)

12. Why must an embosser be used with blue or black ink?

    1. So the seal can be felt
    2. So the seal can be photocopied
    3. So the seal matches the bond
    4. So the seal is harder to forge or copy
    Show the answer

    B. So the seal can be photocopied

    Handbook p. 7.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 7 (sos.arkansas.gov)

13. Which act is listed as a basic Arkansas notarial act?

    1. Taking acknowledgments of deeds and other instruments
    2. Recording deeds with the county recorder's office
    3. Performing apostilles for documents used abroad
    4. Issuing certified copies of birth and death records
    Show the answer

    A. Taking acknowledgments of deeds and other instruments

    Handbook p. 9; also swearing witnesses, taking affidavits, administering oaths and taking depositions.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 9 (sos.arkansas.gov)

14. Who may take depositions that Arkansas courts accept?

    1. Notaries who are also certified court reporters
    2. Any attorney's assistant who holds a commission
    3. Any notary, if both parties agree in writing
    4. Any notary with five years of experience
    Show the answer

    A. Notaries who are also certified court reporters

    Handbook pp. 11-12; Ark. R. Civ. P. 28 (FAQ).

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 11 (sos.arkansas.gov)

15. What county goes in the certificate's venue?

    1. The county where the document will later be recorded
    2. The notary's county of commission, wherever the act occurs
    3. Where the notary and signer were physically located
    4. The signer's county of residence, wherever the act occurs
    Show the answer

    C. Where the notary and signer were physically located

    Handbook p. 14; Notary Public FAQ.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 14 (sos.arkansas.gov)

16. Which set of items must a complete certificate include?

    1. The fee charged, the time of day and the signer's birth date
    2. The notary's employer, the bond number and the surety's name
    3. The official signature, a compliant seal, the venue and the date
    4. The signer's ID number, phone number, date of birth and home address
    Show the answer

    C. The official signature, a compliant seal, the venue and the date

    Handbook pp. 14-15.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 14 (sos.arkansas.gov)

17. May an Arkansas notary notarize the notary's own signature?

    1. No
    2. Yes, on personal papers
    3. Only on affidavits
    4. Yes, with a witness
    Show the answer

    A. No

    Handbook p. 1; Notary Public FAQ.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 1 (sos.arkansas.gov)

18. A document would give the notary an indirect financial benefit. May the notary notarize it?

    1. No
    2. Yes, if disclosed in the journal
    3. Yes, if the benefit is small
    4. Yes, if the signer agrees
    Show the answer

    A. No

    Handbook p. 1.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 1 (sos.arkansas.gov)

19. Who may apply for an Arkansas eNotary commission?

    1. Only notaries with 5 years of service
    2. Anyone, without a paper commission
    3. Only attorneys admitted in Arkansas
    4. Any Arkansas notary in good standing
    Show the answer

    D. Any Arkansas notary in good standing

    Handbook p. 20; by online amendment.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 20 (sos.arkansas.gov)

20. An Arkansas notary in good standing wants an eNotary commission. What must the notary complete before filing the online amendment?

    1. A 40-hour course and a supervised practice period
    2. A second bond and a fingerprint-based criminal background check
    3. Nothing beyond choosing a solution provider
    4. The Secretary of State's eNotary training and its exam
    Show the answer

    D. The Secretary of State's eNotary training and its exam

    Handbook p. 20.

    Source: Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025), p. 20 (sos.arkansas.gov)

Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of Arkansas, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.