Arizona Notary Public Exam Overview
The Arizona Notary Public Exam is a NEW requirement effective July 1, 2025. Prior to this date, Arizona did not require an exam for notary applicants. This exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the Arizona Secretary of State.
If you're applying for a new Arizona notary commission or renewing after July 1, 2025, you must pass this exam. The good news? It's an open-book exam, meaning you can reference materials during testing.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 45 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 60 minutes |
| Passing Score | 80% (36 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $46.75 |
| Format | Open-book |
| Testing Provider | Prometric |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $5,000 required |
Why This Is a NEW Requirement
Arizona previously had no exam requirement for notaries. Starting July 1, 2025:
- All new notary applicants must pass the state exam
- Renewing notaries must also pass the exam
- The exam tests knowledge of Arizona notary laws and procedures
This change ensures Arizona notaries are properly trained in state-specific requirements.
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Arizona Notary Fundamentals (20%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a legal U.S. resident
- Must be an Arizona resident OR have Arizona place of employment
- Pass the state examination (NEW requirement)
- Obtain $5,000 surety bond
- No felony convictions (or civil rights restored)
Application Process:
- Complete application with Secretary of State
- Pay $43 application fee
- Pass Prometric exam ($46.75)
- Obtain surety bond
- Receive commission certificate
2. Notary Equipment Requirements (15%)
Official Notary Seal:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Shape | Rectangular preferred |
| Ink Color | Black or blue |
| Must Include | Notary name, "Notary Public," "State of Arizona" |
| Commission Dates | Effective and expiration dates |
| Commission Number | Required on seal |
Journal Requirements:
- Journal is recommended but not legally required in Arizona
- Best practice for liability protection
- Must be kept securely if maintained
- Record type of act, date, signer info, ID used
3. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Most common notarial act
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Signer does NOT need to sign in notary's presence
- Used for deeds, contracts, powers of attorney
Jurats (Verification on Oath/Affirmation):
- Signer must sign IN the notary's presence
- Notary administers oral oath or affirmation
- Signer swears content is true
- Used for affidavits, depositions, sworn statements
Oaths and Affirmations:
- Can be administered without a document
- Oath invokes a supreme being
- Affirmation is secular alternative
- Both carry same legal weight
Copy Certifications:
- Certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records (births, deaths, marriages)
- Original must be presented for comparison
4. Identity Verification (20%)
Acceptable Identification:
| Primary IDs | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Arizona Driver's License | Current, not expired |
| Arizona ID Card | Current, not expired |
| U.S. Passport | Current, not expired |
| U.S. Military ID | Current, with photo |
| Other State Driver's License/ID | Current, government-issued |
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Based on prior relationship
- Document the basis in your journal
Credible Witnesses:
- One or two credible witnesses
- Must personally know the signer
- Must present ID to notary
- Used when signer lacks acceptable ID
5. Prohibited Acts and Liability (15%)
Prohibited Actions:
| Action | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Notarizing your own signature | Commission revocation |
| Notarizing when you have financial interest | Civil liability |
| Giving legal advice | Commission revocation, potential criminal charges |
| Notarizing incomplete documents | Invalid notarization |
| Using "notario" to imply legal authority | Criminal charges possible |
| Backdating notarizations | Criminal fraud charges |
Civil Liability:
- Notaries can be sued for negligence
- Surety bond provides some protection
- E&O insurance recommended
- Improper notarization can cause financial harm
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Arizona notary fundamentals and requirements | 3-4 |
| Week 1-2 | Seal requirements and best practices | 2-3 |
| Week 2 | Notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths) | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | Identity verification procedures | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Prohibited acts and liability | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice exams with open-book reference | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 20-25 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Arizona Notary exam.
Open-Book Exam Strategy
Since Arizona uses an open-book format, use these strategies:
1. Prepare Your Reference Materials
Organize materials you'll reference during the exam:
- Arizona Revised Statutes Title 41, Chapter 2
- Secretary of State notary handbook
- Quick reference guide with key numbers
2. Know Where to Find Information
Don't try to memorize everything. Instead:
- Tab important sections
- Create a one-page quick reference
- Know which topics are in which sections
3. Don't Over-Rely on References
The exam is timed (60 minutes):
- Know common concepts by heart
- Use references for specific details
- Practice with timed conditions
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Arizona Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% (36/45) |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $5,000 |
| Exam fee | $46.75 |
| Application fee | $43 |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming no study is needed — Open-book doesn't mean easy
- Not organizing materials — Wasting time searching during exam
- Ignoring ID requirements — Know acceptable forms of identification
- Confusing acknowledgments and jurats — Different requirements
- Not practicing timed exams — 60 minutes goes fast
- Underestimating prohibited acts — Know what you cannot do
After Passing Your Exam
- Receive exam results — Immediate pass/fail notification
- Complete application — Submit to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee — $43
- Obtain surety bond — $5,000 from licensed surety
- Receive commission — Certificate from Secretary of State
- Purchase notary seal — Must meet Arizona requirements
- Consider E&O insurance — Recommended protection
- Begin notarizing — Commission valid 4 years
2026 Arizona Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- NEW exam requirement effective July 1, 2025
- Remote Online Notarization (RON) now available
- Updated application procedures
- Electronic notarization options expanding
Start Your Arizona Notary Career Today
The Arizona Notary Public exam is now required, but with proper preparation, you can pass on your first attempt. The open-book format makes this achievable with focused study.
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ Arizona law specifics (ARS Title 41)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.