2.2 Application Process
Key Takeaways
The exam mandate began July 1, 2025; the dedicated Pearson Arizona Notary scheduling route began September 18, 2026. Obtain the Candidate ID and pass before filing.
The passing exam score is valid for 90 days — you must submit your application within that window
You must obtain a $5,000, four-year surety bond; the bond form contains the Oath of Office
You sign the bond/oath before a current notary, then file the application, notarized bond, and $43 fee with the Secretary of State (not the county recorder)
Plan on roughly $163–$258 for one exam attempt, application, bond, seal, and journal using the illustrative prices below; verify actual charges
The Arizona Notary Application Process
The following is a recommended preparation sequence. Passing the exam and completing the required documents precede filing, but buying a journal or arranging a bond need not wait until the exam is passed. As of July 1, 2025, the single biggest change is that you must pass the Arizona Notary competency exam before you apply — you cannot submit an application and "take the test later." Equally important: in Arizona, the entire packet goes to the Secretary of State, not to a county recorder. (Some states route notary filings through the county recorder; Arizona does not, and the exam likes to test this distinction.)
The Steps at a Glance
| Step | Action | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register through Pearson VUE’s Arizona Notary program, obtain a Candidate ID, pass the exam (80%) | First |
| 2 | Obtain a $5,000 surety bond (four-year term) | Before filing; check bond-date requirements |
| 3 | Complete the application online and print it | Once the required information is available |
| 4 | Sign the bond form — which contains the Oath of Office — before a current notary | Before mailing |
| 5 | Mail the application + notarized bond + $43 fee to the Secretary of State | Within 90 days of passing |
| 6 | Receive the commission certificate and provide it to the stamp vendor; have a suitable journal ready | Before performing acts |
Step 1: Pass the Competency Exam First
Beginning July 1, 2025, new and renewing applicants must pass the competency exam. Separately, Pearson’s dated scheduling notice directs candidates to its dedicated Arizona Notary program beginning September 18, 2026. Before applying you must:
- Create a Pearson Arizona Notary program account and obtain a Candidate ID.
- Schedule and pass the open-book exam, scoring at least 80% (36 of 45 questions).
- Retain proof of passing — your score is valid for 90 days.
The 90-day window is a hard deadline: if you do not complete and file your application within 90 days of passing, the score expires and you must test again (and pay the exam fee again). The Candidate ID from Pearson VUE is entered on the application so the Secretary of State can confirm you passed.
Step 2: Obtain the $5,000 Surety Bond
Arizona requires a $5,000 surety bond for the full four-year commission term. The bond is not insurance for you — it protects the public from financial harm caused by your notarial errors or misconduct.
| Bond Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Amount | $5,000 |
| Term | 4 years (matches the commission) |
| Premium | Varies by provider; obtain a current quote |
| Issuer | A surety company licensed to do business in Arizona |
| Critical rule | The name on the bond must EXACTLY match your application |
If a valid claim is ever paid against your bond, the surety can require you to reimburse it — so the bond is your last line of defense, not a license to be careless.
Step 3 & 4: The Application and the Oath of Office
Arizona uses an online portal to capture your information; you then print the completed application. The application asks for:
- Full legal name (exactly as it appears on the bond)
- Arizona residence address and county
- Date of birth and Social Security number
- Email address
- Your Pearson VUE Candidate ID
The Oath of Office is built into the bond form. You do not swear the oath at a county courthouse; instead you sign the bond/oath form in front of a currently commissioned notary, who notarizes your signature. This single step satisfies both the bond-execution and oath-of-office requirements at once — a frequently tested point.
Step 5: File With the Secretary of State
Mail the complete packet — together — to the Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services (Notary Section):
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application form | Original, signed |
| Surety bond / Oath of Office | Original, signed and notarized |
| Filing fee | $43 (application + bond filing) |
Do not send these to your county recorder — Arizona notary applications are filed centrally with the Secretary of State in Phoenix. Submitting an incomplete packet (e.g., bond without the notarized oath, or a name mismatch between bond and application) can delay processing or require correction.
Step 6: Receive Your Commission, Then Buy Supplies
Processing typically takes about four weeks. When your commission certificate arrives, verify your name, county of residence, and commission dates — provide the commission copy to the vendor for your seal/stamp and confirm that its information is correct. A suitable journal may be purchased beforehand. You may not notarize until your commission is effective and you have your seal and journal in hand.
Fees Breakdown
| Item | Official fee or illustrative estimate |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | $35 per proctored attempt per the Secretary of State’s Pearson notice; confirm at booking |
| Application / bond filing fee | $43.00 |
| $5,000 surety bond premium | ~$50–$100 (4-year term) |
| Seal / stamp | ~$20–$50 |
| Bound journal | ~$15–$30 |
| Estimated total | ~$163–$258 for one attempt (illustrative) |
Example: Devon passes the Pearson Arizona Notary exam on September 23, 2026, with a score of 82%. His 90-day score-validity clock starts on that date. He buys a $5,000 bond ($65 premium), completes the online application, and signs the bond/oath form before a notary friend on October 10. He mails the application, the notarized bond, and a $43 check to the Secretary of State on October 12 — well inside his 90-day window. About four weeks later his commission certificate arrives; he then orders a stamp and journal and performs his first notarization. Illustrative total out-of-pocket so far: $35 + $65 + $43 + ~$40 = ~$183. Had Devon waited beyond the 90-day score-validity window to file, his passing score would have expired and he would have had to re-test.
Put the following recommended application workflow in the order presented in this section. The bond and journal may be arranged earlier than this example shows.
Arrange the items in the correct order
Sign the bond/Oath of Office form before a current notary
Register through Pearson VUE’s Arizona Notary program and pass the competency exam (80%)
Obtain a $5,000 four-year surety bond
Mail the application, notarized bond, and $43 fee to the Secretary of State
Receive the commission and provide a copy to the stamp vendor; have the journal ready
Where does an Arizona notary applicant file the completed application, surety bond, and fee?
With the county recorder in the applicant's county of residence
With the Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services / Notary Section
With the exam administrator, along with the exam fee
With the local superior court clerk
After passing the Arizona Notary exam, an applicant's passing score is valid for ___ days, within which the application must be filed.
Type your answer below
What is the purpose of the Arizona notary surety bond, and how does the Oath of Office relate to it?
The bond insures the notary against losses; the oath is sworn separately at the county courthouse
The bond protects the public from notary errors; the Oath of Office is part of the bond form, signed before a current notary
The bond pays the notary’s fees; the oath is administered by the exam vendor
The bond is optional; the oath replaces it
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.