How to become a notary public in Arizona
Arizona licenses notaries statewide through the Arizona Secretary of State.1 For the Notary Public license you need a passing score on the Arizona notary public examination (if required by the Secretary of State)2 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $18 for the registration4. You renew every 4 years1.
Who issues it
Arizona Secretary of State
Training and experience
An approved education program; see the requirements
Exam
Arizona notary public examination (if required by the Secretary of State)2
Fees the board lists
Registration fee: $184
Renewal
Every 4 years1
From another state
No reciprocity route1
On this page
Who needs a Notary Public license
A public officer commissioned by the state to perform notarial acts. A commission does not allow giving legal advice or acting as an immigration consultant. Notary fees that may be charged are set by Secretary of State rule.1
Requirements for a Notary Public license
- Minimum age
- 18 years old1
- Education or training
- Course of study on notary laws, rules, procedures and ethics, offered by the Secretary of State or an approved entity, only if the Secretary of State requires the examination.2
- Exam
- Arizona notary public examination (if required by the Secretary of State)2
- Background check
- Background check required3
The SOS may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or condition a commission for, among other things, a felony conviction or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit; a revoked notary must wait one year to reapply.3 - Residency or citizenship
- U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and an Arizona resident for income tax purposes who claims Arizona as primary residence on state and federal tax returns.1
- Surety bond
- $5,0001
- Also required
- Must be able to read, write and understand English.1
- Also required
- Must keep a reference manual approved by the Secretary of State.1
- Also required
- Must sign and submit an oath of office before the commission is issued.1
- Also required
- Must keep a paper journal of all notarial acts on paper records (paper or electronic journal for electronic records).5
- Also required
- Electronic notarization: before the first notarial act on an electronic record, notify the Secretary of State and identify the tamper-evident technology to be used.6
- Also required
- Remote online notarization: before the first remote act, notify the Secretary of State and identify the technologies; the notary must be located in Arizona and keep the audio-video recording at least five years.7
How much a Notary Public license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | $184 | Arizona Secretary of State | Filing the oath and bond of notary public, eighteen dollars |
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
How to apply
- Check you qualify: 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, Arizona resident for income tax purposes, can read/write English, and not disqualified under § 41-271.1
- Buy a $5,000 notary surety bond from a surety authorized in Arizona.1
- Pass the Secretary of State notary exam if the SOS requires one.1
- Apply to the Secretary of State with the information its rules require and pay the application fee.1
- Sign the oath of office and submit it with the bond to the Secretary of State; the commission is then issued for four years.1
- Get an official stamp that meets § 41-266 and start a notary journal.8
Renewal and continuing education
- How often
- Every 4 years1
- When it expires
- Commission lasts four years; a notary renews by applying again under the current law (the SOS may require renewing applicants to pass the exam).9
- If it expires
- A notary may act only while a valid bond is on file with the Secretary of State.1
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Arizona Notary Public license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to Arizona with a license from another state
These are the routes the Arizona Secretary of State publishes for the Notary Public license.
- Route
- No reciprocity
- What the board says
- No reciprocity: applicants must be Arizona residents for income tax purposes. Notarial acts performed by another state's notaries are recognized in Arizona, but that does not let them notarize in Arizona.1
City and county rules
No city or county notary license; apply to the Secretary of State.1
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- A.R.S. §§ 41-251 to 41-277 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; commission, qualifications, bond: § 41-269)
- A.R.S. § 41-270
- A.R.S. § 41-271 (grounds to deny, revoke, suspend)
- A.R.S. § 41-126(A)(2), (11)
- A.R.S. § 41-263 (remote notarization), § 41-268 (electronic records)
- A.R.S. § 41-311 et seq. (journal § 41-319; complaints § 41-331)
Common questions
Can I transfer my notary public license to Arizona?
No reciprocity: applicants must be Arizona residents for income tax purposes. Notarial acts performed by another state's notaries are recognized in Arizona, but that does not let them notarize in Arizona.1 Conditions and forms.
How often do you renew a Notary Public license in Arizona?
Every 4 years1.
Notary public licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- A.R.S. 41-269 Commission as notary public; qualifications; assuranceArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-270 Examination of notary public; feeArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-271 Grounds to deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or condition commissionArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-126 Fees; expedited servicesArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-319 JournalArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-268 Notification regarding performance of notarial act on electronic recordArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-263 Notarial act performed for remotely located individualArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-266 Official stampArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- A.R.S. 41-276 Commission in effect; electronic and remote online authorizationsArizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026