How to Become a Notary in Arizona (2026 Guide)
Key Takeaways
- New exam requirement: Since July 1, 2025, all new and renewing AZ notaries must pass a state exam
- $5,000 surety bond required
- No training course required (but recommended)
- Application fee: $43 | Commission term: 4 years
- Must be 18+, an AZ resident, and have no felony convictions
- RON (remote online notarization) available
Arizona added a notary exam requirement effective July 1, 2025. If you’re applying or renewing, you must now pass a competency exam before receiving your commission. Here’s the full process.
A notary commission is not one business. It’s five.
Loan signings, apostille work, I-9 verifications, remote online notarization, and being findable on Google. Browse courses →
Requirements
To become a notary public in Arizona, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Arizona resident
- Have no felony convictions (unless rights restored)
- Be able to read and write English
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Pass the Notary Exam
Since July 1, 2025, all new and renewing Arizona notary applicants must pass a notary competency exam administered by Prometric. The 45-question, 60-minute open-book exam is based on the free Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual (download it from the SOS; it is built into the exam interface) and administered by Prometric at testing sites statewide or remotely. You need an 80% score to pass, and the exam costs $46.75. If you fail, you can retake it after 30 days. You must pass before submitting your application.
Step 2: Purchase Your $5,000 Surety Bond
Arizona requires a $5,000 surety bond. Purchase it from a bonding company or insurance agent. The bond premium typically costs $25-$50 for the 4-year term. The bond details are where Arizona applications get rejected: it must show your exact commissioned name, carry your county of residence (not your business county), run four years and one day less, be countersigned by an Arizona resident agent, and be notarized with an oral oath of office and jurat, with no blank spaces anywhere.
Step 3: Submit Your Application Online
Complete the notary application through the Arizona Secretary of State’s online portal. Upload your exam results and bond. Pay the $43 filing fee. Processing runs about 4 to 6 weeks.
Step 4: Buy Your Supplies
Once approved, purchase your notary stamp (required) and journal (recommended), and keep a thumbprint box with your supplies. Under SB 1479 (signed April 2026, effective September 12, 2026), Arizona notaries must record the signer’s right thumbprint in their journal for deed transactions, so the journal earns its keep here.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Notary exam (Prometric) | $46.75 |
| $5,000 surety bond premium | $25-$50 |
| Application fee (Secretary of State) | $43 |
| Notary stamp | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $140-$215 |
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but recommended. E&O insurance protects you beyond the $5,000 bond, and it is cheap: about $13 a year for $10,000 of coverage in the notary specialty market, roughly $75 for $100,000.
Renewal
Arizona notary commissions last 4 years. You must pass the exam again and purchase a new bond for each renewal. Apply through the Secretary of State before your commission expires.
How Much You Can Charge
Arizona caps fees at $10 per notary signature, and the same $10 cap applies to electronic and online notarizations: Arizona sets no separate, higher remote fee the way some states do. You may charge a travel fee for mobile work if the signer agrees in advance.
Remote Online Notarization
Arizona is fully RON-authorized. Once you hold a current, active commission, apply through the Secretary of State’s Electronic/Remote Notary Request application and name the technology vendor you have contracted with (the SOS publishes the list of approved providers). There is no additional fee or bond to add remote authority, approval takes about one to two weeks, and you may only perform a remote notarization while physically located in Arizona. The same $10 per-signature cap applies, remote or otherwise.
Notarizing for Family Members
Arizona does not have a specific prohibition on notarizing for family members. The standard conflict-of-interest rules apply: you cannot notarize documents in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. Use caution with spouse notarizations involving shared assets.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
Notarizing without authority is a misdemeanor; fraud or forgery tied to a notarial act is a felony. The Secretary of State can revoke a commission for cause, and personal civil liability for a bad notarization sits on top of all of it.
Your Commission Belongs to You
Your commission is personal: no employer controls it, your stamp goes with you when you change jobs, and no employer can require you to skip proper procedure.
How Arizona Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Arizona | California | Nevada | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | $5,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Exam | Yes ($46.75) | Yes | Via required course | Yes |
| Training | No (recommended only) | 6 hours | Yes | Yes |
| Term | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $10 | $15 | $15 | $5 |
| RON | Yes | Not authorized | Yes | Yes |
Arizona’s $5,000 bond is the lowest in the region, and since July 2025 it comes with the required Prometric exam. California has the most expensive entry: a $15,000 bond plus a 6-hour course, and it still has no remote online notarization. Nevada and California cap fees at $15, Arizona at $10, New Mexico at $5. Full guides: California, Nevada, New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Arizona?
Yes, since July 1, 2025. All new and renewing Arizona notaries must pass a competency exam administered by Prometric.
Is notary training required in Arizona?
Training is not required, but the state recommends it. You must pass the exam regardless.
Do I need a surety bond in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires a $5,000 surety bond for all notary applicants.
How long does an Arizona notary commission last?
4 years. Renew through the Arizona Secretary of State before your commission expires.
Can Arizona notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Arizona authorized RON. Apply for electronic notary status through the Secretary of State.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Arizona Secretary of State; exam requirement effective July 1, 2025, thumbprint rule effective September 12, 2026.
