Does Arizona require an exam to become a notary?

Yes, as of July 1, 2025. All new and renewing notaries pass a Prometric exam with 45 questions and an 80% passing score, costing $46.75 per attempt.

Can you become an Arizona notary if you live out of state?

No. Arizona only commissions people who claim Arizona as their primary residence, with no border-state worker option.

Do you need a bond in Arizona?

Yes, a $5,000 surety bond for the four-year term. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

How much can an Arizona notary charge?

Up to $10 per notarial act. A mobile notary may add a separate travel fee on top of that amount.

Is a journal required in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona requires a single bound paper journal, kept for at least five years, and it is a public record you turn in when your commission ends.

How to Become a Notary in Arizona (2026): Steps, Cost & New Exam

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Arizona notary rules are set in the Arizona Revised Statutes and changed recently, so confirm the details with the Arizona Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Arizona you must be 18 and an Arizona resident. As of July 1, 2025 you must also pass a Prometric competency exam, obtain a $5,000 surety bond, and mail your application with the $43 fee to the Secretary of State. The commission lasts four years, a record journal is mandatory, and Arizona caps your fee at $10 per act. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Arizona?

Becoming an Arizona notary now costs about $170 to $210, more than before because of the new exam. The fixed charges are the $46.75 Prometric exam fee and the $43 state application and bond filing fee. The rest is the $5,000 bond premium, your required stamp, and the mandatory journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Arizona?

You become an Arizona notary by passing the new exam, getting bonded, and mailing your packet to the Secretary of State. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, an Arizona resident, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and able to read and write English.
Register with Prometric and pass the exam. Study the 2025 Notary Public Reference Manual, schedule with Prometric, and pass the open-book exam at 80%.
Obtain a $5,000 surety bond. Buy a four-year $5,000 bond whose name matches your application; the bond form includes your Oath of Office, which a notary must notarize.
Mail your application packet with the $43 fee. Send the original application, the original notarized bond, and a $43 check to the Secretary of State in Phoenix.
Equip yourself after approval. Processing takes about four weeks; once commissioned, buy your stamp and journal before you notarize.

Does Arizona require a notary exam now?

Yes, since July 1, 2025 all new and renewing Arizona notaries must pass a competency exam, so any guide saying Arizona has no test is out of date. The exam is administered by Prometric, has 45 questions, is open book, allows 60 minutes, and requires 80% to pass, which is 36 correct answers. It costs $46.75 per attempt, draws from the 2025 Notary Public Reference Manual, and can be retaken after 30 days if you do not pass.

What are the requirements to become an Arizona notary?

The Arizona requirements changed with the new exam but remain otherwise straightforward. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, able to read and write English, and an Arizona resident, since unlike many states Arizona does not allow out-of-state residents to apply. You then pass the Prometric exam, carry a $5,000 surety bond, use an approved stamp, and keep a journal. Arizona does not require a training course beyond preparing for the exam.

What are the journal rules for Arizona notaries?

Arizona requires every notary to keep a bound paper journal, and you may only keep one paper journal at a time. Each entry records the date and type of act, the document, the signer, the evidence of identity you relied on, and any fee charged. The journal is a public record, so when your commission ends you must turn it in to the Secretary of State, and you keep entries for at least five years. This is stricter than many states, where a journal is only recommended.

How do you renew or notarize online in Arizona?

You renew by passing the exam again and buying a new $5,000 bond, then submitting a fresh application with the $43 fee up to two months before your term ends. Buy the new bond before you file, because if your bond lapses you must apply as a new notary rather than renew. Arizona also authorizes remote online notarization, which requires an active commission, a separate $25,000 electronic surety bond, and registration with an approved RON provider.

Becoming an Arizona notary: frequently asked questions

Does Arizona require an exam to become a notary?: Yes, as of July 1, 2025. All new and renewing notaries pass a Prometric exam with 45 questions and an 80% passing score, costing $46.75 per attempt.
Can you become an Arizona notary if you live out of state?: No. Arizona only commissions people who claim Arizona as their primary residence, with no border-state worker option.
Do you need a bond in Arizona?: Yes, a $5,000 surety bond for the four-year term. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
How much can an Arizona notary charge?: Up to $10 per notarial act. A mobile notary may add a separate travel fee on top of that amount.
Is a journal required in Arizona?: Yes. Arizona requires a single bound paper journal, kept for at least five years, and it is a public record you turn in when your commission ends.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Arizona Secretary of State, Notary Public; Arizona Revised Statutes Title 41 (sections 41-270 and 41-313 onward); and the 2025 Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual. Confirm current fees and steps with the Arizona Secretary of State before applying.