AR Notary AR-Notary Term of Commission, Renewal, and Resignation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A notary commissioned in Arkansas on March 1, 2020 will see their commission expire in what year?
- 2024
- 2026
- 2030 (Correct answer)
- 2032
Correct answer: 2030
Arkansas notary commissions last ten years, so a 2020 commission expires in 2030.
Question 2: What happens to an Arkansas notary's authority the day after their commission expires if they have not renewed?
- They may notarize for a 30-day grace period
- They have no authority to perform notarial acts (Correct answer)
- They may notarize only for existing clients
- They may notarize until the Secretary of State sends a notice
Correct answer: They have no authority to perform notarial acts
Once the commission expires, the notary has no authority to perform any notarial act until recommissioned.
Question 3: To renew an Arkansas notary commission, the applicant must:
- Simply pay a renewal fee to keep the old commission active
- Submit a new application and meet all current requirements, including a new surety bond (Correct answer)
- Send a letter requesting an automatic extension
- Appear before a circuit judge for reappointment
Correct answer: Submit a new application and meet all current requirements, including a new surety bond
Renewal in Arkansas requires a new application, new bond, and compliance with all current commissioning requirements.
Question 4: Which official receives an Arkansas notary's written resignation?
- The county clerk
- The Governor
- The Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The Attorney General
Correct answer: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of State administers notary commissions in Arkansas and receives resignations.
Question 5: A notary who resigns their Arkansas commission should do what with their official seal?
- Mail it to the county sheriff
- Keep it in case they are recommissioned
- Destroy or disable it so it cannot be misused (Correct answer)
- Sell it to another notary
Correct answer: Destroy or disable it so it cannot be misused
Destroying or disabling the seal prevents fraudulent use after the commission ends.
Question 6: How much is the surety bond an Arkansas notary must obtain when applying for or renewing a commission?
- $1,000
- $5,000
- $7,500 (Correct answer)
- $10,000
Correct answer: $7,500
Arkansas law requires notaries to file a $7,500 surety bond.
Question 7: When may an Arkansas notary submit a renewal application?
- Only after the current commission has expired
- Before the current commission expires, to avoid a lapse in authority (Correct answer)
- Only during January of the expiration year
- Only if the Secretary of State mails an invitation
Correct answer: Before the current commission expires, to avoid a lapse in authority
Applying before expiration lets the new commission take effect without a lapse in notarial authority.
AR Notary AR-Notary Term of Commission, Renewal, and Resignation 2
A notary commissioned in Arkansas on March 1, 2020 will see their commission expire in what year?