(a) It is unlawful for any notary public to witness any signature on any instrument unless the notary public either:
(1) Witnesses the signing of the instrument and personally knows the signer or is presented proof of the identity of the signer; or
(2) Recognizes the signature of the signer by virtue of familiarity with the signature.
(b) Any notary public violating this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) For purposes of this section, “personally knows” means having an acquaintance, derived from association with the individual, which establishes the individual's identity with at least a reasonable certainty.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 21 - Public Officers and Employees
Subchapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 21-14-101. Appointment and commission
§ 21-14-102. Change of residence
§ 21-14-103. Change in personal information
§ 21-14-104. Power and authority generally
§ 21-14-105. Administration of oaths
§ 21-14-106. Acknowledgments and authentications
§ 21-14-108. Expiration date of commission
§ 21-14-109. Performance of duties for corporation
§ 21-14-110. Admissibility of acknowledged instruments
§ 21-14-111. Unlawful act — Penalty — Definition
§ 21-14-112. Denial or revocation of notary public commission