How to become a notary in Arizona
Eligibility, an exam, a $5,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Arizona Secretary of State - Business Services, Notary Public.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Arizona resident for income tax purposes who claims an Arizona primary residence on state and federal tax returns; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. No non-resident commission; Must read, write and understand English and keep an SOS-approved reference manual. The SOS may deny for any felony or crime of fraud/dishonesty/deceit, findings of fraud, application misstatements, or a prior revoked notary commission (A.R.S. 41-269, 41-271).
- Pass the notary exam — Since July 1, 2025 all new and renewing notaries must pass the state notary exam before applying (A.R.S. 41-270): 45 questions, 60 minutes, open book, 80% to pass, remote or at a test center; up to 3 attempts, then a 30-day wait. Register with the exam vendor to get a Candidate ID before applying. The vendor changed from Prometric ($46.75 per proctored attempt, per the Aug 2026 manual) to Pearson VUE ($35 per attempt per SOS pages) - confirm the fee when booking.
- Buy a $5,000 surety bond — 4-year $5,000 surety bond from a surety, insurance company or notary organization licensed in Arizona, submitted with the application; the notary may act only while a valid bond is on file with the SOS..
- Apply to the Arizona Secretary of State - Business Services, Notary Public — Pay the $25 state fee. Other fees: $18 bond and oath filing fee (total $43 to the SOS, A.R.S. 41-126); exam fee paid to the testing vendor ($35-$46.75 per attempt); bond premium varies by surety.
- Take the oath and file it — Oath of office is executed (notarized) as part of the application and filed with the SOS together with the bond; no county filing.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: one physical stamp, any shape, max 1.5 x 2.5 in., showing 'Notary Public', the county of commission, the notary's name as commissioned, the commission expiration date and the Arizona state seal image. Vendors must see a copy of the commission before selling a stamp. Embosser allowed only in addition to the stamp. Journal: Required: one paper journal for all acts on tangible records (records kept 5 years); paper or electronic journal for electronic records. From Sept 12, 2026 (SB 1479) the signer's right thumbprint must be recorded for certain real-property documents and powers of attorney.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Arizona's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Arizona notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Arizona Secretary of State - Business Services, Notary Public |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Arizona resident for income tax purposes who claims an Arizona primary residence on state and federal tax returns; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. No non-resident commission. |
| Course | Not required No mandatory course; the exam is based on the SOS Notary Public Reference Manual (open book). |
| Exam | Required Since July 1, 2025 all new and renewing notaries must pass the state notary exam before applying (A.R.S. 41-270): 45 questions, 60 minutes, open book, 80% to pass, remote or at a test center; up to 3 attempts, then a 30-day wait. Register with the exam vendor to get a Candidate ID before applying. The vendor changed from Prometric ($46.75 per proctored attempt, per the Aug 2026 manual) to Pearson VUE ($35 per attempt per SOS pages) - confirm the fee when booking. verify |
| State fee | $25 |
| Other fees | $18 bond and oath filing fee (total $43 to the SOS, A.R.S. 41-126); exam fee paid to the testing vendor ($35-$46.75 per attempt); bond premium varies by surety. |
| Surety bond | $5,000 4-year $5,000 surety bond from a surety, insurance company or notary organization licensed in Arizona, submitted with the application; the notary may act only while a valid bond is on file with the SOS. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | None |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Oath of office is executed (notarized) as part of the application and filed with the SOS together with the bond; no county filing. |
| Seal | Required: one physical stamp, any shape, max 1.5 x 2.5 in., showing 'Notary Public', the county of commission, the notary's name as commissioned, the commission expiration date and the Arizona state seal image. Vendors must see a copy of the commission before selling a stamp. Embosser allowed only in addition to the stamp. |
| Journal | Required: one paper journal for all acts on tangible records (records kept 5 years); paper or electronic journal for electronic records. From Sept 12, 2026 (SB 1479) the signer's right thumbprint must be recorded for certain real-property documents and powers of attorney. |
| Max fee per notarization | Up to $10 per notary signature for acknowledgments and jurats, $10 per notarial act for oaths/affirmations, $10 per page for copy certifications; electronic and remote acts are capped at the same amounts (A.A.C. R2-12-1102). Travel may be charged at state mileage/per diem rates. |
| Remote online notary | Allowed A current Arizona notary may become an electronic and/or remote online notary by notifying the SOS and identifying an approved technology; no additional fee or bond at this time. Notary must be in Arizona, use two types of identity proofing and keep an audio-video recording (A.R.S. 41-263, 41-268). |
| Renewal | No automatic renewal: pass the exam again, submit a new application with a new $5,000 bond and the $43 fee; SOS advises filing about 60 days before expiration. |
Two recent changes: the mandatory notary exam for new and renewing notaries (from July 1, 2025) and SB 1479 (signed April 9, 2026, effective Sept 12, 2026) adding a thumbprint journal requirement for certain real-estate documents and powers of attorney. azsos.gov blocks automated access; some figures were confirmed only through search excerpts of official SOS pages.
Sources: Arizona SOS - New Notary · Arizona SOS - Remote & eNotary · Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual (Aug 2026) · Notary fee schedule posted pursuant to R2-12-1102 · A.R.S. 41-269 (qualifications, bond, term). Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Arizona notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Arizona licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Arizona insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Arizona?
The state fee is $25, plus $18 bond and oath filing fee (total $43 to the SOS, A.R.S. 41-126); exam fee paid to the testing vendor ($35-$46.75 per attempt); bond premium varies by surety.. Add the premium for the $5,000 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Arizona?
About 4 weeks from receipt of the application (standard processing)..
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Arizona?
Arizona requires an exam, a $5,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Arizona?
Up to $10 per notary signature for acknowledgments and jurats, $10 per notarial act for oaths/affirmations, $10 per page for copy certifications; electronic and remote acts are capped at the same amounts (A.A.C. R2-12-1102). Travel may be charged at state mileage/per diem rates..
Can I be an online notary in Arizona?
Yes. A current Arizona notary may become an electronic and/or remote online notary by notifying the SOS and identifying an approved technology; no additional fee or bond at this time. Notary must be in Arizona, use two types of identity proofing and keep an audio-video recording (A.R.S. 41-263, 41-268).