For Notaries · Arizona

How to Become a Notary in Arizona

To become a notary in Arizona, you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and an Arizona resident. File a $5,000 surety bond, pay the $43 application fee, and pass Arizona's mandatory proctored notary exam. The Secretary of State issues a four-year commission.

Earn as a remote online notary See the steps

Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary

Arizona commissions notaries through the Secretary of State's office, and the path changed meaningfully in 2025. Unlike many states, Arizona now requires every new and renewing notary to pass a proctored competency exam before being commissioned. You will also file a $5,000 surety bond with a $43 filing fee, then receive a four-year commission. Once you are active, Arizona is a strong state for online work: remote online notarization has been legal and operative since 2020, so you can register as an electronic/remote notary at no additional state fee and start earning on assigned online signings.

Arizona Notary Requirements at a Glance

Eligibility You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and an Arizona resident (a resident of the state for income tax purposes). You must maintain Arizona residency for the entire four-year term, and applicants with certain criminal histories may be disqualified. Always confirm current eligibility details with the Secretary of State before applying.
Surety bond Arizona requires a $5,000 notary surety bond, filed with the Secretary of State before you are commissioned. Under A.R.S. § 41-315 the bond must run for the full four-year term and match your commission dates. The bond protects the public, not you, so many notaries add separate errors-and-omissions coverage. Premiums are set by your licensed surety, not the state.
State filing fee $43.00 (combined application and bond filing fee, paid to the Arizona Secretary of State). Budget separately for the $46.75 exam fee and your surety bond premium.
Commission term Four years. Arizona issues notary commissions for a four-year term, and your $5,000 surety bond must cover the same four-year period. To renew, you must pass the state competency exam again and re-file your bond and application before the commission expires.
Notary education No mandatory training course, but the state exam is now a competency gate. Arizona publishes a free Notary Public Reference Manual to study from, and the Secretary of State offers an optional notary workshop. The exam questions come directly from that manual.
Exam Required. Since July 1, 2025, all new and renewing Arizona notaries must pass a proctored competency exam administered by Prometric. It has 45 questions drawn from the state Notary Public Reference Manual, a 60-minute time limit, an 80% passing score, and a $46.75 fee per attempt.

Beginning July 1, 2025, every new and renewing Arizona notary must pass a proctored competency exam of 45 questions within 60 minutes with an 80% passing score, administered by Prometric, and each attempt costs $46.75. — Arizona Secretary of State — Notary

How to Become a Notary in Arizona: Step by Step

  1. 1

    Confirm you're eligible

    Make sure you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and an Arizona resident for income tax purposes. You will need to keep Arizona residency for the full four-year term.

  2. 2

    Study the manual and pass the state exam

    Download Arizona's free Notary Public Reference Manual and schedule the mandatory proctored exam with Prometric. You must score at least 80% on the 45-question, 60-minute test (a $46.75 fee applies) before you can be commissioned.

  3. 3

    Buy and sign your $5,000 surety bond

    Purchase a $5,000 notary surety bond from a licensed Arizona surety. The bond must run for the full four-year term; have it signed and notarized before you file.

  4. 4

    Submit your application and $43 fee

    Mail your completed notary application, the original signed and notarized bond, and the $43 application and bond filing fee together to the Secretary of State's Phoenix office.

  5. 5

    Receive your commission and add RON

    Once approved, you receive a four-year commission, so order your seal/stamp and journal to start notarizing. To work online, register as an electronic/remote notary with an approved technology provider (no extra state fee) and join USA Notary for assigned, paid remote signings.

How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Arizona

Remote online notarization is legal and operative in Arizona and has been since 2020 (A.R.S. § 41-371 et seq.). You must first hold a current, active Arizona notary commission, then register as an electronic/remote notary with the Secretary of State and contract with an approved RON technology provider. There is no additional state fee or bond to add electronic/remote notary authority.

Online / remote notary application fee: No additional state fee (must use an approved technology provider)

RON enacted under SB 1030 and made effective July 1, 2020 via Executive Order 2020-26; rules under A.R.S. § 41-371 et seq. The maximum notary fee is $10 per notarial act.

See how RON is authorized in Arizona — and state by state →

Walk through the Arizona remote online notarization process →

Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Arizona

Arizona allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Arizona commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.

Traditional (in-person) notary Remote online notary (RON)
How the signer appearsIn person, in the same roomOver a live, recorded audio-video call
Available in Arizona?YesAvailable now — register once commissioned
What you needSeal and journalAn approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate
Where the work comes fromLocal, walk-in and mobile appointmentsNationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary

What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Arizona?

Item Cost
State filing fee (application + bond) $43.00 (fixed by the state)
Proctored notary exam (Prometric) $46.75 per attempt
$5,000 surety bond Premium varies by licensed surety
Notary seal/stamp, journal & supplies Varies by provider
Electronic/remote (RON) notary registration No additional state fee

See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.

Turn Your Arizona Commission Into Income

Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. Learn how Arizona notaries earn, check the platform requirements for Arizona notaries, and browse become-a-notary guides for other states.

Join USA Notary as a notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a Notary in Other States

Requirements differ by state — here are nearby Mountain guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.

How to Become a Notary in Colorado How to Become a Notary in Nevada How to Become a Notary in Utah How to Become a Notary in Texas How to Become a Notary in Florida How to Become a Notary in California How to Become a Notary in Georgia How to Become a Notary in New York
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About the author

Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC

CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC

Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.

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Official sources

This guide summarizes public requirements from Arizona's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.