Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$5,000
Application Fee
$43
Issuing Authority
Arizona Secretary of State
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Arizona distinctive
- Arizona permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Arizona requires a notary journal for every official act — only 17 of 50 states do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
Arizona authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- NEW 2025: Mandatory competency exam for all new and renewing notaries (effective July 1, 2025)
- Exam: 45 questions, 60 minutes, 80% passing, $46.75 fee
- $5,000 bond REQUIRED (lower than many states' $10K)
- Journal MANDATORY for ALL acts (paper only, one at a time, chronological)
- Journal is public record (viewable with written request)
Regulatory Authority
Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
ARS Title 41
State Government - Notaries Public
ARS § 41-253
Requirements for Certain Notarial Acts
Standards for notarial acts performance
ARS § 41-255
Identification of Individual
Personal knowledge, satisfactory evidence, credible witness requirements
ARS § 41-263
Notarial Act Performed for Remotely Located Individual
RON requirements, notary location, identity verification
ARS § 41-264
Certificate of Notarial Act
Certificate sufficiency standards
ARS § 41-265
Short Form Certificates
Statutory short forms for certificates
ARS § 41-270
Notary Competency Examination
Mandatory exam effective July 1, 2025 for new and renewing notaries
ARS § 41-311
Definitions
Defines acknowledgment, jurat, notarial certificate, copy certification
ARS § 41-313
Duties
Notary duties, seal requirements
ARS § 41-316
Fees
Fee restrictions and authorization
ARS § 41-319
Journal
Mandatory journal, required fields, public record status, retention
ARS § 41-321
Official Seal
Seal requirements, elements, security
ARS § 41-328
Conflicts of Interest
Prohibitions for spouse, relatives, parties, beneficial interests
Ariz. Admin. Code § R2-12-1102
Notary Public Fees
Maximum $10 per notarial act
SB 1030 (2020)
RON Legalization
Legalized remote online notarization March 2020
SB 1115 (2022)
RON Permanent Authorization
Made RON permanently legal June 30, 2022 under ARS § 41-263
ARS § 41-312
ARS § 41-312 - Notary Competency Examination
Mandatory competency exam for new notary applicants, effective July 1, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Arizona?
A Arizona notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Arizona?
Arizona charges $43 as the application fee to the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Arizona require a notary bond?
Yes. Arizona requires a notary surety bond of $5,000. The bond protects the public against errors or misconduct by the notary; it is purchased from a licensed surety company, not the state.
Is a notary journal required in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Can Arizona notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Arizona authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Arizona notaries use?
Arizona notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Arizona cap notary fees?
Yes. Arizona sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. No charge up to maximum $10 per notarial act (Ariz. Admin. Code § R2-12-1102, ARS § 41-316)
Who regulates notaries in Arizona?
Arizona notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Arizona authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Arizona authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Arizona notaries perform?
Arizona notaries are authorized to perform 12 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Arizona?
Start your application through the Arizona Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Related Articles
Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Fees by State Guide
Comprehensive comparison of statutory fee caps across all 50 states, including travel surcharges, electronic notarization premiums, and pro-bono guidance.
Notary Journal Requirements by State
When a journal is legally required versus advisory, what must be recorded, retention periods, and how to handle subpoenas of journal entries.
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