The bond protects the public
Every Arkansas notary must carry a $7,500 surety bond, payable to the State of Arkansas, for the 10-year commission. If a notary's mistake causes someone a loss, that person can claim against the bond. The surety pays a valid claim and then collects the amount back from the notary.
So the bond guarantees the public will be paid. It does not pay for you. And because the bond is yours, an employer cannot cancel it, even if the employer paid for it.
E&O protects you
Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance covers you if a notarization mistake leads to a claim against you. Up to the policy limit, the insurer pays a covered claim instead of you.
Arkansas does not require E&O. Every Natural State Notary Bond package includes $5,000 of E&O at no additional cost.
Side by side
| Notary bond | E&O insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it protects | The public | You, the notary |
| Required in Arkansas | Yes | No |
| Amount | $7,500 | The limit on your policy ($5,000 included with our bond) |
| Who ends up paying a valid claim | You, after the surety pays and collects from you | The insurer, up to the limit |
| Filed with the county and state | Yes | No |
| Term | 10 years, matching your commission | Set by the policy |
An example
A notary does not check a signer's ID closely, and a forged document goes through. The person harmed loses $4,000 and files a claim.
- With only the bond: the surety pays the $4,000 claim, then collects $4,000 from the notary.
- With the bond and $5,000 of E&O: the E&O insurer handles the covered claim up to its $5,000 limit, so the notary is not paying the $4,000 out of pocket.
Higher limits and E&O on its own
You can raise your E&O limit during bond checkout. Each total below replaces the $50 base price rather than adding to it, and every option covers the same 10-year, $7,500 bond.
| E&O limit with your bond | Total price |
|---|---|
| $5,000 (included) | $50 |
| $15,000 | $80 |
| $20,000 | $100 |
| $25,000 | $115 |
| $35,000 | $125 |
Already have a bond from somewhere else? You can buy E&O on its own: $5,000 is $30, $10,000 is $50, $25,000 is $75 and $50,000 is $110. E&O is not filed with the county or the Secretary of State.
Which limit fits depends on the documents you notarize and the risk you carry. The choice is yours. If you want to talk it through, ask Diamond in the chat or call us.
Arkansas notary bond. $50.
10-year, $7,500 bond with $5,000 of E&O included. Your documents are emailed after purchase, and we walk you through the exam, the state application and the county filing.
Get My BondSee the full Arkansas notary bond price breakdown and step-by-step process.
Common questions
Is E&O insurance required for Arkansas notaries?
No. Arkansas requires the $7,500 notary bond. E&O is optional, and every Natural State Notary Bond package includes $5,000 of E&O at no additional cost.
Is the $5,000 of E&O really included in the $50 price?
Yes. The $50 package covers the 10-year, $7,500 Arkansas bond and includes $5,000 of E&O at no additional cost.
Can I get more than $5,000 of E&O with my Arkansas bond?
Yes, at checkout. The totals replace the $50 base price: $15,000 of E&O is $80, $20,000 is $100, $25,000 is $115 and $35,000 is $125.
I already have an Arkansas notary bond. Can I buy E&O by itself?
Yes. Standalone E&O through American Surety Company is $30 for $5,000, $50 for $10,000, $75 for $25,000 and $110 for $50,000. There is nothing to file afterward.
Who underwrites the Natural State notary bond?
American Surety Company, an A-rated carrier.
Sources: Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-101 · Arkansas Secretary of State Notary Handbook (rev. January 2025)