2.3 Commission Term and Renewal
Key Takeaways
- An Arizona notary commission lasts four years and authorizes acknowledgments, jurats, oaths/affirmations, and copy certifications
- The commission is issued in your county of residence, but acknowledgments and oaths may be performed in any Arizona county
- You may begin renewing up to two months (60 days) before expiration, and must re-pass the exam (effective July 2025) with a new $5,000 bond
- Report a change of address or name to the Secretary of State within 30 days or face a $25 civil penalty
- Under A.R.S. \u00a7 41-317, resignation is in writing to the Secretary of State, and you must deliver your stamp, journal, and records within 3 months or forfeit $50\u2013$500
Commission Term, Renewal, and the End of a Commission
Your commission is the legal authorization that lets you notarize. Knowing exactly what it permits, how long it lasts, how to renew it, and what you must do when it ends is heavily tested \u2014 and these rules carry real penalties when ignored.
The Four-Year Term and What It Authorizes
An Arizona notary commission is valid for four years from the effective date printed on your commission certificate. During that term, the commission authorizes you to perform Arizona's four notarial acts:
| Authorized Act | What You Do |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | Confirm a signer appeared and acknowledged a signature |
| Jurat (verification on oath/affirmation) | Administer an oath and witness a signature |
| Oath or affirmation | Administer a verbal oath, with or without a document |
| Copy certification | Certify a copy matches the original (limited document types) |
Jurisdiction: County of Residence vs. "Statewide"
Here is a nuance the exam loves. Your commission is issued in and for the county where you reside. However, under Arizona law, acknowledgments may be taken and oaths may be administered in any county of the state. In practical terms, that makes you effectively statewide for those acts \u2014 but the commission itself is still anchored to your county of residence, which is why a move can affect your commission. You may never notarize outside Arizona's borders.
Commission Lifecycle
| Stage | Key Rule | Penalty / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance | 4-year term begins on the certificate's effective date | Verify name, county, and dates before ordering your seal |
| Active term | Notarize statewide for acknowledgments/oaths; keep bond and journal current | Maintain records for 5 years after each act |
| Address/name change | Notify the Secretary of State within 30 days | $25 civil penalty if late |
| Renewal | May begin up to 60 days before expiration; re-pass exam + new bond | No grace period after expiration |
| Expiration (no renewal) | Authority ends at expiration; stop notarizing | Surrender records within 3 months |
| Resignation | Submit written resignation to the Secretary of State | Surrender stamp/journal/records within 3 months |
Changing Your Address or Name
If you move or your legal name changes during your term, you must notify the Secretary of State within 30 days using the Notary Public Address/Name Change Notification form. For a name change, include legal documentation (marriage license, divorce decree, court order). Failing to report within 30 days can trigger a $25 civil penalty. A name change also means your old seal is no longer accurate \u2014 you will need a corrected stamp reflecting your new name.
Renewal
A commission does not renew automatically; you reapply. As of July 1, 2025, renewing notaries must pass the competency exam just like first-time applicants \u2014 the exam is no longer only for newcomers. You may begin the renewal process up to two months (60 days) before your current commission expires, and your passing score is valid for 90 days.
Renewal Steps
- Pass the competency exam (80%) within the 90-day validity window.
- Obtain a NEW $5,000 surety bond \u2014 your old bond expires with your old commission.
- Complete the renewal application through the online portal.
- Sign the bond/Oath of Office before a current notary and mail it with the $43 fee to the Secretary of State.
- Receive the new commission (~4 weeks), then order a new seal showing the new expiration date.
Worked Example: Priya's commission expires on September 30, 2026. Because renewing notaries must now test, she schedules and passes the Prometric exam on August 5, 2026 (within 60 days of expiration and inside her 90-day score window). She buys a brand-new $5,000 bond, files the renewal application with the $43 fee on August 20, and receives her new commission by late September \u2014 with no gap in authority. Crucially, Priya does not keep notarizing on her old commission past September 30 if the new one is delayed: Arizona provides no grace period, so any notarization performed after expiration would be unauthorized and void.
When a Commission Ends: Resignation and Expiration
When your commission ends \u2014 whether you let it expire, you resign, or it is revoked \u2014 specific recordkeeping duties kick in under A.R.S. \u00a7 41-317.
To resign, you submit your resignation in writing to the Secretary of State. Resignation is not permanent; you may apply again later.
Upon resignation, revocation, or expiration (when you choose not to renew), you must deliver to the Secretary of State \u2014 by certified mail or another method providing a receipt \u2014 your:
- Physical stamping device (seal)
- Notarial journal
- All notarial records (except records of acts that are not public record)
| Duty | Deadline | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Submit written resignation (if resigning) | Promptly to the Secretary of State | \u2014 |
| Deliver stamp, journal, and records | Within 3 months | Forfeit $50\u2013$500 to the state |
The Secretary of State then preserves the deposited records for an additional five years. While you are active, you must keep your records for at least five years after each notarial act; surrendering them at the end transfers that custodial duty to the state.
On the Exam
Lock in these numbers: 4-year term; renewal may begin 60 days early; passing score valid 90 days; address/name change within 30 days ($25 penalty); resignation in writing to the Secretary of State; stamp/journal/records surrendered within 3 months or forfeit $50\u2013$500 (A.R.S. \u00a7 41-317). And remember the jurisdiction nuance: commissioned in your county of residence, but acknowledgments and oaths may be performed in any Arizona county.
How long is an Arizona notary commission valid, and when may a notary begin the renewal process?
Under A.R.S. \u00a7 41-317, what must a notary do when resigning, and what is the consequence of neglecting the records-surrender duty?
A notary moves to a new home within Arizona during her commission term. What must she do, and what is the penalty for failing to act in time?
Which statement about Arizona notary jurisdiction is correct?