How to Become a Notary Public in Arizona

Checked against Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services Division · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Required
Training: Not required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $43 ($25 application fee plus $18 bond filing fee)
Bond: $5,000 surety bond from a licensed surety, notarized, with your name and county matching the application.
Commissioned by: Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services Division

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
You must be an Arizona resident for income tax purposes.
You must be able to read, write, and understand English.
You cannot be disqualified under Arizona notary law, for example for certain convictions.
You must pass the state notary exam.

Step by step

Study the 2026 Notary Public Reference Manual.
Register with Pearson for the notary exam and get a Candidate ID number.
Pass the exam with at least 80%.
Fill out the online notary application and print it.
Buy a $5,000 surety bond from a licensed surety and have it fully filled out and notarized.
Mail or hand-deliver the signed application, the original bond, and the $43 fee to the Secretary of State.
Wait about four weeks for your commission, then order a stamp that matches it.

Official application →

Training and exam

Exam: Proctored by Pearson, remotely or at a test center, $35 per attempt. 45 questions from the 2026 Notary Public Reference Manual in 60 minutes. The manual is built into the exam. Pass with 80%. After three failures, wait 30 days to retest. Required for new and renewing notaries since July 1, 2025.

Practice for the notary exam free — role & powers, prohibited acts, and procedures & recordkeeping →

What it costs in Arizona

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Notary exam (Pearson, per attempt)$35
$5,000 surety bond premium$
Notarizing the bond$
State filing fee ($25 application + $18 bond filing)$43
Notary stamp and journal$

Estimated total in Arizona$78Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

$35 Pearson exam fee per attempt
Surety bond premium (varies by surety)
$25 civil penalty if you did not report an address change within 30 days
Notary stamp and journal

How long it takes

The Secretary of State's notary page says processing takes approximately 4 weeks; its FAQ says 4 to 6 weeks, with no expedite option.

What other sites get wrong about Arizona

Myth: Arizona does not require an exam to become a notary.

Fact: Since July 1, 2025, all new and renewing Arizona notaries must pass the Secretary of State's 45-question exam, given by Pearson for $35 per attempt, with a score of 80%. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renew up to two months before your term ends; renewing notaries must also pass the exam.

Remote online notarization: Yes. A current active Arizona notary can apply separately for an electronic or remote online notary commission after reviewing the administrative rules.

Good to know in Arizona

New thumbprint rule (2026): Under SB 1479 (Laws 2026, Ch. 31), effective September 12, 2026, notaries must have the signer place a right thumbprint in the journal when notarizing deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, other real-property documents and powers of attorney. Foreclosure trustee's deeds and deeds of release and reconveyance are exempt.

What you can charge: An Arizona notary may charge from nothing up to $10 per notarial act (per signature for acknowledgments and jurats), must post a fee schedule and tell the customer the fee first (A.R.S. 41-316; Ariz. Admin. Code R2-12-1102).

Renewal cost: Renewing costs the same $43 application and bond filing fee, a new notarized $5,000 bond, and passing the $35 Pearson exam again.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services Division before you apply.