Deed Recording Requirements in Arkansas
An Arkansas deed must be acknowledged (or proved) before it can be recorded, the execution statute also refers to two disinterested witnesses, and the state real property transfer tax totals $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration above $100.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Arkansas at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Transfer tax
- State tax applies
- Exemptions may apply
The rules in Arkansas
Does a deed need to be notarized in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.
Where do the Arkansas rules for deeds come from?
They come from Ark. Code 18-12-201, Ark. Code 18-12-104, Ark. Code 14-15-404 and 1 other source. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.
What this means in practice
Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.
Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.
A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.