What Arizona Requires to Become a Notary Public
To become a notary public 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 a high school diploma or prior experience. The state does not require you to pass an exam, but you do need to submit an process to the Arizona Secretary of State, pay a fee, and obtain a surety bond. Once approved, you receive a commission that lasts four years.
Arizona is one of the few states that does not mandate a notary exam, which makes the process faster than in many other states. However, you still need to complete each step in order and meet all the basic requirements before your process will be accepted.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, an Arizona resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary public in Arizona.
- Arizona does not require a notary exam, but you must obtain a surety bond before submitting your process to the Secretary of State.
- The process fee is $25, and the surety bond typically costs between $50 and $150 depending on the bonding company.
- Your notary commission lasts four years from the date it is issued, and you must renew it before it expires if you want to continue working as a notary.
- You can explore online through the Arizona Secretary of State website, and approval usually takes two to four weeks.
Get Your Surety Bond Before You explore
A surety bond is an insurance product that protects the public if you make a mistake or act dishonestly as a notary. Arizona law requires every notary to carry a bond worth $10,000. You cannot submit your process to the Secretary of State without proof that you have obtained this bond.
Contact a bonding company or an insurance agent in Arizona and ask for a notary surety bond. Many companies offer them online, and you can often receive the bond document within one business day. The cost varies by company but typically ranges from $50 to $150 for a four-year term. Once you receive the bond, keep a copy for your records and have the original ready to upload or mail with your process.
Some bonding companies will send the bond directly to the Secretary of State on your behalf, which speeds up the process. Ask the company whether they offer this service before you purchase.
Complete the process Form
read the notary process from the Arizona Secretary of State website. The form is called the "process for Notary Public Commission" and is available as a PDF. You will need to fill in your full legal name, date of birth, Arizona residential address, phone number, and email address.
The process also asks whether you have ever been convicted of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty. Answer truthfully. A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the Secretary of State will review your case individually. If you have been convicted, include a written explanation of the circumstances.
Print the completed form and sign it in front of a notary public or another authorized official. Arizona requires your signature to be notarized on the process itself. If you do not yet know a notary, you can ask at a bank, law office, or title company in your area—most will notarize a signature for free or a small fee.
Submit Your process and Fee
Mail your signed process, a copy of your surety bond, and a check or money order for $25 to the Arizona Secretary of State, Notary Public Unit, 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Do not send cash.
Alternatively, you can submit your process online through the Secretary of State's website if you have a digital copy of your bond and can pay the fee by credit card. The online method is faster and reduces the chance of missing documents. Keep a copy of everything you send for your own records.
The Secretary of State will send you a confirmation email or letter once your process is received. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. If your process is incomplete or the bond is missing, the office will contact you and ask you to resubmit the missing item.
Receive Your Notary Commission Certificate
Once approved, the Secretary of State will mail you an official notary commission certificate. This certificate is your proof that you are a commissioned notary public in Arizona. Keep it in a safe place—you may need to show it to employers or clients.
Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You can begin notarizing documents as soon as you receive the certificate. Many notaries keep a copy of the certificate at their workplace and carry another copy with them when they travel for notary work.
The Secretary of State also maintains a public database of all active notaries in Arizona. Your name will appear in this database once your commission is active, and members of the public can search for you by name to verify that you are a legitimate notary.
Renew Your Commission Before It Expires
Four years after your commission is issued, you will need to renew it if you want to continue working as a notary. The renewal process is similar to the initial process: you will need to submit a renewal form, obtain a new surety bond, pay a renewal fee, and have your signature notarized again.
The Secretary of State typically sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your commission expires. If you do not receive a notice, you can contact the Notary Public Unit directly or check the Secretary of State website for renewal important date. Renewing before your commission expires ensures there is no gap in your authority to notarize documents.
If your commission expires and you do not renew it, you lose your authority to notarize. You would need to submit a new process and start the process over from the beginning.
Understand Your Duties and Limitations as a Notary
As an Arizona notary, your job is to verify the identity of the person signing a document and confirm that they are signing of their own free will. You do not need to read or understand the document itself. You also cannot give legal information, prepare legal documents, or represent anyone in court.
You must keep a notary journal—a record of every document you notarize, including the date, the signer's name and identification, the type of document, and the fee you charged. Arizona law does not require you to use a specific journal format, but the journal must be in chronological order and kept for at least five years. If you are ever accused of wrongdoing, your journal is your best defense.
You are required to use an official notary seal and stamp on every document you notarize. The seal must include your name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Arizona, and your commission expiration date. You can order a seal from an office supply company or online retailer once you receive your commission certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a notary exam in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not require a notary exam. You only need to meet the age and residency requirements, obtain a surety bond, and submit an process to the Secretary of State. Some states require an exam, but Arizona does not.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Arizona?
The process fee is $25, and the surety bond typically costs between $50 and $150 for a four-year term. Your total cost will usually be between $75 and $175, depending on which bonding company you choose. Renewal costs are similar.
Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?
A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the Secretary of State will review your case. Include a written explanation of the circumstances with your process. Crimes involving dishonesty may be viewed more seriously than other felonies.
How long does it take to become a notary in Arizona?
The process typically takes two to four weeks from the time you submit your process. If you explore online and have all documents ready, approval may come faster. The longest part is usually obtaining the surety bond, which can take a few days to a week depending on the bonding company.
Can I notarize documents for family members or people I know?
Yes, but you must still verify their identity using a government-issued ID and confirm they are signing of their own free will. You cannot notarize a document for yourself or for someone you have a financial interest in. Record the notarization in your journal like any other document.