Arkansas does not require a journal — but recommends one. RON requires mandatory electronic records including 5-year A/V recording by the solution provider. Arkansas has a 10-year commission — among the longest in the country. eNotary refresher training every 2 years. Separate eNotary commission required for electronic and RON notarizations. NotaryAct supports Arkansas notaries across all notarization types.
| ⚖️ Arkansas Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | ACA Title 21, Chapter 14 · ACA 21-14-301 et seq. (eNotary/RON) · CARR Title 116, Ch. 00, Sub. 005 |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · SOS recommends keeping a journal as best practice |
| eNotary (IPEN) Journal | Optional — typically created by solution provider’s platform · Journals not expressly required for eNotary |
| RON Electronic Record | Mandatory — created by approved RON solution provider ✓ |
| RON A/V Recording | Mandatory — retained by solution provider for 5 years ✓ |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct AR configuration |
| Commission Term | 10 years — among the longest in the country ✓ |
| eNotary Commission | Separate — must be commissioned as a traditional notary first, then apply for eNotary ✓ |
| eNotary Refresher Training | Required every 2 years · $30 · Administered by ASN on behalf of SOS ✓ |
| Traditional Exam | Required — free online exam, 80% passing score |
| eNotary Application | $20 filing fee + $5 convenience fee · $30 eNotary exam · Can only apply once traditional commission is in good standing |
| Max Traditional Fee | Reasonable and agreed upon by signer in advance (ACA 21-6-309) · No statutory cap |
Arkansas operates a two-track system for technology-based notarizations: eNotary (IPEN) and RON. Both require a separate eNotary commission in addition to the traditional notary commission. You cannot apply for the eNotary commission until your traditional commission shows “good standing” in the SOS database.
eNotary (IPEN) allows electronic document notarization with the signer physically present. The eNotary uses a digital signature and digital notary seal validated by a digital certificate — but the signer must be in the room. RON adds remote capability using approved RON solution providers that include secure audio-video, identity proofing, and credential analysis tools.
The 10-year commission dramatically reduces administrative overhead for Arkansas notaries. Along with South Carolina, Arkansas has one of the longest commission terms in the country. The eNotary commission expires concurrently with the underlying traditional commission.
The SOS recommends these fields for all Arkansas notarizations. NotaryAct’s Arkansas configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, oath, signature witnessing, copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown for all Arkansas-authorized types. |
| 3 | Document description — NotaryAct dedicated field. |
| 4 | Signer name and address — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any Arkansas driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — Personal knowledge, government ID type/details, or credible witness. For RON: credential analysis + identity proofing via approved platform. |
| + | Fee charged and agreed-upon amount — Arkansas requires the fee be disclosed and agreed to before the act. NotaryAct includes a fee field in every entry. |
✔ NotaryAct supports Arkansas notaries across all notarization types: Complete best-practice journal for traditional and eNotary notarizations. RON session documentation fields. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Oklahoma · Texas · Louisiana · Missouri · All 50 States →
NotaryAct supports Arkansas notaries across all three notarization types — traditional, eNotary, and RON — with best-practice journal records for the full length of your 10-year commission.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Arkansas Code Annotated Title 21, Chapter 14 and the Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (revised January 2025) as in effect June 2026. Consult the Arkansas Secretary of State at sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/enotary or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
