How to Become a Notary in Arizona

How do I renew my notary commission in Arizona?

You can renew you notary commission in Arizona as early as two months before the expiration date of your current notary commission. To renew your notary commission, complete an online application for reappointment and follow the same application process and procedures as the 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 appointment and reappointment as a notary public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries.

Use the information below to contact the Arizona Secretary of State:

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 nonresident 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 his or her primary residence on state and federal tax returns does not qualify for an Arizona notary public commission.

How long is the term of a notary public commission in Arizona?

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

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

No. You are not required 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 course of study and pass an exam administered by the Arizona Secretary of State or an entity approved by the Secretary of State.

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

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

1. A $43 filing fee to the secretary of state to process your notary application.
2. A $25 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 from 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 insurance policy to become a notary in Arizona?

An 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 an errors and omissions insurance policy. This insurance protects the notary from a claim if a client sues the notary. An 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 in the amount of $5,000 is required if you are seeking an appointment as a notary public or if you are renewing 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 they perform [A.R.S. §41-264(B)]. Your official notary stamp must:

• Be a rubber stamp.
• Have dark ink. These colors include 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 his or her 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:

1. A notary public may only have one physical notary stamp.
2. A notary public may use an embosser only in conjunction with his or her physical stamping device. An embosser or an impression made by the embosser is not an official seal of office for the purposes of the laws of this state.
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 of the loss, theft, or compromise of an official notary journal or stamping device within ten days. The notary is also required to 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. For an acknowledgment—up to $10.00 per notary signature
2. For an oath or affirmation—up to $10.00 per notarial act
3. For a jurat—up to $10 per notary signature
4. For a copy certification—up to $10.00 per page certified

Note: A notary public shall select a standard fee, from “no charge” up to the maximum $10 fee, for a notarial act. 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 will 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 [ARS 41-316(C)]. A notary public may be paid an amount up to the amount authorized for mileage expenses and per diem subsistence for state employees as prescribed by Title 38, Chapter 4, Article 2 [ARS §41-316(B)]. For the latest authorized mileage fees for state employees, check the fee schedule online at https://gao.az.gov/state-arizona-accounting-manual-saam.

Reminder: Per notary rules, notary fees shall be from "no charge up to a maximum of $10.00 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.

• 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 on 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 that contains entries that are not public records and one journal that contains entries that are public records. If a notary public keeps only one journal, that journal is presumed to be a public record.  A notary public's journal that contains entries that are not public records is the property of the employer of that notary public and shall be retained by that employer if the notary public leaves that employment. A notary public's journal that contains only public records is the property of the notary public without regard to whether the notary public's employer purchased the journal or provided the fees for the commissioning of the notary public ARS §41-319(E).
• Except as prescribed by ARS §41-319(E), 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, when requested, a certified copy of any public record in his or her journal. Records of notarial acts that violate the attorney-client privilege or that are confidential pursuant to federal or state law are not a public records.

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 of the loss, theft, or compromise of an official notary journal or stamping device within ten days. The notary is also required to 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 you are 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 the notarization. In addition, the Arizona Secretary of State adopted regulations relating to electronic notarization provisions with respect to 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 that 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. Provide a description of the technologies or devices that you intend to use to perform electronic notarizations.
6. Provide the name, address, and website URL of the vendor(s) or other persons that will directly supply the technologies that 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. There is no additional fee or bond required at this time to become an electronic notary. The entire process to become 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 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 that 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. Provide a description of the technologies or devices that you intend to use to perform remote online notarizations.
6. Provide the name, address, and website URL of the vendor(s) or other persons that will directly supply the technologies that you intend to use for remote online notarizations. This technology must conform to the standards adopted by the Arizona Secretary of State.

Upon approval, you will receive a written authorization from the Arizona Secretary of State to perform remote online notarizations. A remote online notary public may also perform electronic notarizations. There is no additional fee or bond required at this time to become a remote online notary public. The commission term of a remote online notary public is the same as the term of the notary’s existing notary public commission. A remote online notary public must follow the initial application process to renew his or her authorization to continue to perform remote online notarizations (AAC 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 any other means providing a receipt (ARS §41-323An). 

If you fail to comply with Section 41-323, you have failed to fully and faithfully discharge your duties, and the Arizona Secretary of State may impose a civil penalty of $25 against you [ARS §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 (ARS §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 (ARS §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 cancelled must be included.

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

Revised:

January 2023