How to Become a Notary in Arizona

How do I renew my notary commission in Arizona?

You can renew your notary commission in Arizona as early as two months before your current notary commission expires. To do so, complete an online application for reappointment and follow the same application process and procedures as your initial application for appointment as a notary public. Click here to learn how to renew your notary commission in Arizona.

Who appoints notaries in Arizona?

The Arizona Secretary of State receives applications for the appointment and reappointment of notaries public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries.

The Arizona Secretary of State can be contacted at:

Secretary of State
Business Services Division
Notary Department
1700 West Washington Street, 7th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808
(602) 542-6187 or 1-800-458-5842

Can a non-resident of Arizona apply for a commission as a notary public?

No. An individual who is not a resident of Arizona for income tax purposes and who does not claim an individual residence in Arizona as their primary residence on state and federal tax returns does not qualify for an Arizona notary public commission.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Arizona?

An Arizona notary term of office is four years commencing on the date specified in the notary public commission certificate.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Arizona?

No. There is no requirement to take or pass any notary course of study or examination to be appointed and commissioned as a notary public in Arizona or to renew your commission. However, the Arizona Secretary of State may require notary applicants and suspended notaries to take a study course and pass an exam administered by the Arizona Secretary of State or an entity approved by the Arizona Secretary of State.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Arizona?

To become a notary public in Arizona, you must pay the following: 

1. A $43 filing fee to the secretary of state to process your notary application.
2. A $25 fee for a four-year, $5,000 notary bond.
3. A fee to have the oath of office notarized. This can range from no charge to a maximum of $10.

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. An official notary stamp (available for $21.95 from AAN).
2. A notary journal (available for $11.95 from AAN).
3. An errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view policy premiums and coverage. (This step is optional.)

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Arizona?

A notary errors and omissions insurance policy is optional in Arizona and is not required to become an Arizona notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Arizona notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage an Arizona notary public selects.

You can order an Arizona notary errors and omissions insurance policy online at the American Association of Notaries website at https://www.arizonanotaries.com/notary-insurance

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Arizona?

Yes. An Arizona notary bond for $5,000 is required if you seek an appointment as a notary public or to renew your notary public commission. A licensed surety agent must execute the bond.

You can order a four-year Arizona notary bond online at the American Association of Notaries website at https://www.arizonanotaries.com/arizona-notary-bond.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Arizona?

Yes. The Arizona notary statute requires Arizona notaries to use an official seal to authenticate all notarial acts [A.R.S. § 41-264(B)]. Your official notary stamp must:

• Be a rubber stamp.
• Use dark ink, including black, dark blue, dark purple, dark green, or dark brown; red ink or ink not viewable on all copy or fax machines is unacceptable.
• Not be larger than 1 1/2 inches high and 2 1/2 inches wide or 1 1/2 inches if round.
• Contain the words “Notary Public.”
• Contain your name as listed on your commission certificate.
• Contain the Arizona county (listed on the commission certificate) in which you are commissioned.
• Contain your notary commission expiration date.
• Contain the Great Seal of Arizona [A.R.S. § 41-266(B)].
• Contain your commission number.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A notary public must only have one physical notary stamp.
2. A notary public may use an embosser only in conjunction with their physical stamping device. An embosser or an impression made by the embosser is not an official seal of office for the laws of Arizona.
3. The notary must provide a COPY of the notary certificate to the company making the seal.

Note: The law authorizes the secretary of state to impose a $1,000 penalty against a notary who fails to notify the secretary of state within ten days of the loss, theft, or compromise of an official notary journal or stamping device. The notary must also notify law enforcement when a journal or stamping device is stolen.

To order an Arizona notary stamp, notary seal, notary package, and notary supplies, please visit the American Association of Notaries website https://www.arizonanotaries.com/notary-stamps

How much can an Arizona notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

The maximum allowable fees an Arizona notary public may charge for notarial acts are listed below:  

1. An acknowledgment: Up to $10 per notary signature.
2. An oath or affirmation: Up to $10 per notarial act.
3. A jurat: Up to $10 per notary signature.
4. A copy certification: Up to $10 per page certified.

Note: A notary public shall select a standard fee for a notarial act from “no charge” up to the maximum $10 fee. A notary public must be consistent when charging fees and post the fee schedule in a conspicuous location. Before performing any notarial act, the notary public must inform the requestor of the service fee if one is to be charged. A notary public must not advertise or charge or receive a fee for performing a notarial act except as specifically authorized by rule [A.R.S. § 41-316(C)]. A notary public may be paid up to the amount authorized for mileage expenses and per diem subsistence for state employees, as prescribed by Title 38, Chapter 4, Article 2 [A.R.S. § 41-316(B)]. For the current authorized mileage fees for state employees, check the fee schedule online at https://gao.az.gov/state-arizona-accounting-manual-saam (Title: Maximum Mileage, Lodging, Meal, Parking and Incidental Expense Reimbursement Rates).

Reminder: Per notary rules, notary fees shall be from "no charge up to a maximum of $10 per notarial act." This includes electronic and remote online notary fees.

Is a notary journal required in Arizona?

Arizona notary law requires all notaries to record all notarial acts in a chronological notary journal, as follows:

• For tangible records: A notary public shall record all notarial acts on a paper journal.
• For electronic records: A notary public shall record all notarial acts on either a paper journal or one or more electronic journals.   
• For private records: If one or more entries in a notary public's journal are not public records, the notary public shall keep one journal containing non-public entries and one with public entries. If a notary public keeps only one journal, that journal is presumed to be a public record. A notary public's journal containing non-public entries is the property of that notary public’s employer and shall be retained by that employer if the notary public leaves that employment. A notary public's journal that contains only public entries is the notary public’s property regardless of whether the notary public's employer purchased the journal or provided the fees for the notary public’s commission [A.R.S. § 41-319(E)].
• Except as A.R.S. § 41-319(E) prescribes, a notary public shall keep only one paper journal at a time.
• The notary public shall record all notarial acts in chronological order.
• The notary public shall furnish a certified copy of any public record in their journal when requested. Records of notarial acts that violate an attorney-client privilege or that are confidential pursuant to federal or state law are not public.

Note: The law authorizes the secretary of state to impose a $1,000 penalty against a notary who fails to notify the Arizona Secretary of State within ten days of the loss, theft, or compromise of an official notary journal or stamping device. The notary must also notify law enforcement when a journal or stamping device is stolen.

To order an Arizona notary journal, please visit the American Association of Notaries website at https://www.arizonanotaries.com/record-book.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Arizona?

You may perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Arizona.

What notarial acts can an Arizona notary public perform?

An Arizona notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:   

1. Take acknowledgments.
2. Administer oaths and affirmations.
3. Take verifications on oaths or affirmations.
4. Witness or attest signatures.
5. Certify or attest copies.

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Arizona?

Yes. The Arizona legislature enacted laws authorizing a notary public to obtain an electronic or digital signature and electronic seal to notarize electronic records in the physical presence of the individual seeking a notarization. In addition, the Arizona Secretary of State adopted regulations relating to electronic notarization provisions concerning electronic records for electronic notaries in Title 2, Chapter 12, Article 12 (Electronic Notary) in the Arizona Administrative Code.

What is the process to become an Arizona electronic notary public?

To register as an electronic notary public in Arizona, you must:

1. Be a current, active Arizona notary public.
2. Review the “Electronic Notary Rules” administrative rules before applying.
3. Contract with a vendor that provides the technology you intend to use to perform electronic notarizations.
4. Complete an application on the Arizona Secretary of State’s website at https://apps.azsos.gov/apps/notary/application/EApplication.aspx
5. Describe the technologies or devices you intend to use to perform electronic notarizations.
6. Provide the name, address, and website URL of the vendor(s) or other persons directly supplying the technologies you intend to use for electronic notarizations. This technology must conform to the standards adopted by the Arizona Secretary of State.

Upon receipt of the application, the secretary of state will generate and email you an “E-notary/RON Request,” which must be printed, signed, and returned to the secretary of state. Upon the secretary of state’s approval, a commission certificate will be sent to you by email with a link to the approved application and commission certificate. No additional fee or bond is required to become an electronic notary. The entire process of becoming an e-notary will take one to two weeks.

To start the electronic notary public application process, visit the Arizona Secretary of State’s website at https://azsos.gov/business/notary-public/remote-enotary

Can I perform remote online notarizations in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona has enacted laws allowing Arizona notaries to perform remote online notarizations.

How do I become a remote online notary in Arizona?

To register as a remote online notary public in Arizona, you must:

1. Be a current, active Arizona notary public.
2. Review the “Remote Online Notary Rules” administrative rules before applying.
3. Contract with a vendor that provides the technology you intend to use to perform remote online notarizations.
4. Complete an application on the Arizona Secretary of State’s website at https://apps.azsos.gov/apps/notary/application/EApplication.aspx
5. Describe the technologies or devices you intend to use for remote online notarizations.
6. Provide the name, address, and website URL of the vendor(s) or other persons directly supplying the technologies you intend to use for remote online notarizations. This technology must conform to the standards adopted by the Arizona Secretary of State.

You will receive written authorization from the Arizona Secretary of State to perform remote online notarizations upon approval. A remote online notary public may also perform electronic notarizations. Becoming a remote online notary public requires no additional fee or bond. A remote online notary public’s commission term is the same as the notary’s existing notary public commission term. A remote online notary public must follow the initial application process to renew their authorization to continue to perform remote online notarizations [A.A.C. R2-12-1304(I)].

How do I update my address on my Arizona notary commission?

If your mailing, business, or residential address changes, you have thirty days to notify the secretary of state. You must complete an address change form through the secretary of state’s online system. Deliver the printed form to the Arizona Secretary of State by certified mail or by any other means, in which case provide a receipt [A.R.S. § 41-323(A)].

If you fail to comply with Section 41-323, you have failed to discharge your duties fully and faithfully, and the Arizona Secretary of State may impose a civil penalty of $25 against you [A.R.S. § 41-323(C)]. You must pay any civil penalty imposed before the renewal of your commission.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Arizona?

You must notify the Arizona Secretary of State within thirty days of your name change. If your name changes, as an Arizona notary, you have two choices under the law:

1. Continue to use the official seal and commission in your prior name until your commission expires. However, you must sign notarial certificates using your new surname. Immediately below that signature, sign the name under which you are currently commissioned (A.R.S. § 41-327). You must complete a name change form on the secretary of state’s online system. Deliver the printed form and include legal documentation to show why your name changed (marriage license, divorce decree, etc.) to the Arizona Secretary of State by certified mail or any other means providing a receipt (A.R.S. § 41-327). 
2. If you wish to change your notary name on your notary commission, you must notify the Arizona Secretary of State by completing a resignation form on the secretary of state’s online system and reapply using the renewal option. Proof from your bonding company that your previous bond has been canceled must be included.

Failure to notify the Arizona Secretary of State of a change of surname is evidence of failure to discharge the duties of a notary public fully and faithfully.

Revised:

January 2023