Arizona notary requirements and the process path

To become a notary in Arizona, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Arizona, and able to read and write English. You do not need prior experience or a specific educational background. The process involves passing a state exam, submitting an process to the Arizona Secretary of State, and paying a fee. Most people complete the steps within two to four weeks.

Arizona does not require you to take a notary course before the exam, though many people do because courses cover the rules you will be tested on. The exam itself is straightforward — it covers Arizona Revised Statutes Chapter 33 (the notary law), identification requirements, and common notarial acts. You can take the exam at a testing center or through an approved online proctor.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 or older, an Arizona resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
  • Passing the Arizona notary exam is required; you can study on your own or take a course, and the exam costs between $20 and $50 depending on the testing center.
  • After passing the exam, you submit your process and fee to the Arizona Secretary of State, which typically takes one to two weeks to process.
  • Your notary commission lasts four years and requires a $50 renewal fee; you do not need to retake the exam to renew.

Finding an approved testing center and scheduling your exam

The Arizona Secretary of State does not run the exam directly. Instead, you take it at an approved testing center — usually a community college, library, or private testing company. Common testing centers include Pearson VUE locations and local Arizona community colleges. You can find a list of approved centers on the Arizona Secretary of State website under the notary section.

Call or visit the testing center's website to schedule your exam. Most centers let you book online and offer multiple test dates per week. Bring a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and arrive 15 minutes early. The exam takes about 30 to 45 minutes and covers 50 multiple-choice questions. You need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass.

If you fail the exam, you can retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you will pay the testing fee again. Most people pass on the first try if they study the Arizona notary statute and review sample questions.

Studying for the Arizona notary exam

The exam tests your knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes Chapter 33, which covers notary duties, prohibited acts, and identification rules. You can read the statute for free from the Arizona Legislature website. Key topics include the types of notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths), what identification documents are acceptable, how to complete a notarial certificate, and what you cannot do as a notary.

Many people take a notary course to prepare. Courses are offered online and in person by community colleges, private training companies, and some libraries. They typically cost $30 to $100 and take two to four hours to complete. A course is not required, but it helps you understand the material faster and gives you a study guide to review before the exam.

If you study on your own, read Chapter 33 of the Arizona Revised Statutes at least twice, take practice exams (many testing centers provide sample questions), and write down rules you find confusing. Focus on identification requirements, the difference between acknowledgments and jurats, and what makes a notarial certificate valid.

Submitting your process to the Arizona Secretary of State

After you pass the exam, you have one year to submit your process to the Arizona Secretary of State. You will need your exam passing score (the testing center gives you this on the day you test), a completed notary process form, and a $50 process fee.

read the notary process from the Arizona Secretary of State website. Fill it out completely with your legal name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You do not need to attach your exam score — the Secretary of State's office will verify it directly with the testing center. Mail the process and fee to the address listed on the form, or submit it online if the Secretary of State offers electronic filing.

Processing typically takes one to two weeks. You will receive your notary commission by mail. Keep it in a safe place — you do not need to carry it with you, but you should have it available if the Secretary of State asks to see it.

Getting bonded and obtaining a notary seal

Arizona requires notaries to carry a errors and omissions bond, usually called a notary bond. This is insurance that protects the public if you make a mistake in your notarial duties. You do not need the bond to take the exam or submit your process, but you must have it before you perform any notarial acts.

Notary bonds are inexpensive — typically $50 to $150 for a four-year term. You can purchase one from an insurance agent, a bonding company, or online through notary supply websites. The bond is issued in your name and covers your four-year commission period. When you renew your commission, you will need to renew your bond as well.

You will also need a notary seal (also called a stamp). This is the official mark you place on documents to show they have been notarized. You can order a seal from a notary supply company, office supply store, or online retailer. Seals cost $15 to $40 and take three to five business days to arrive. Your seal must include your name, the words "Notary Public," "State of Arizona," and your commission expiration date.

Understanding your duties and restrictions as an Arizona notary

As a notary, you can perform acknowledgments (certifying that a person signed a document in front of you), jurats (certifying that a person swore or affirmed the truth of a document), oaths, and affirmations. You cannot provide legal information, prepare legal documents, or represent someone in court. If someone asks you to do these things, you must decline.

You cannot notarize a document for yourself or a family member. You cannot notarize a signature if you do not personally know the signer or cannot verify their identity through government-issued ID. You cannot notarize a blank document or a document you did not witness being signed. Breaking these rules can result in fines, loss of your commission, or civil liability.

Keep a notary journal (a record of every notarial act you perform). Write down the date, the type of act, the signer's name and ID number, the document title, and any fees you charged. This protects you if someone later disputes the notarization. Arizona does not require you to keep a journal, but it is a best practice and protects you legally.

Renewing your Arizona notary commission

Your notary commission lasts four years from the date it is issued. About 30 to 60 days before it expires, the Arizona Secretary of State will send you a renewal notice. To renew, submit the renewal process and a $50 fee. You do not need to retake the exam or reapply from scratch.

You can renew by mail or online through the Secretary of State's website. The renewal process takes one to two weeks. Your new commission will be mailed to you before your current one expires, so there is no gap in your authority to notarize documents. If you miss the renewal important date, your commission will expire and you will have to reapply as a new notary, which requires taking the exam again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a notary course before the exam?

No. Arizona does not require a course. You can study the Arizona Revised Statutes Chapter 33 on your own and take the exam. However, many people take a course because it explains the material in an organized way and provides practice questions, which makes studying faster.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

No. Arizona law prohibits you from notarizing a document for yourself, a spouse, a parent, a child, or a sibling. You can notarize for other relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles) if you follow all other notary rules, but most notaries avoid this to prevent conflicts of interest.

How much can I charge for a notarization?

Arizona law does not set a maximum fee for notarial acts. You can charge what you think is fair, but many notaries charge $5 to $15 per signature. If you work for a bank or employer, they may set your fees or require you to notarize for free.

What happens if I fail the notary exam?

You can retake the exam when ready without waiting. You will pay the testing fee again (usually $20 to $50). Most people pass on the second attempt if they study the statute more carefully the first time.

Can I work as a notary while I wait for my commission to arrive?

No. You cannot perform notarial acts until you have received your official commission from the Arizona Secretary of State. Once you pass the exam and submit your process, wait for your commission to arrive by mail before notarizing any documents.