What statute governs Arizona acknowledgment forms?

A.R.S. 41-265 sets the short form certificates under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, replacing the older real-property forms.

Does the Arizona form use county or district?

County. The venue names the State of Arizona and the county where the signing takes place, unlike Alaska's judicial-district venue.

Does the signer sign in front of the Arizona notary?

Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.

Who commissions Arizona notaries?

The Secretary of State commissions Arizona notaries for a four-year term as public officers of the state.

Can an Arizona notary certify a copy?

Yes for many records, but a notary may not certify or attest a copy of an Arizona public record, with limited statutory exceptions.

Arizona Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects Arizona Revised Statutes 41-265 under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the Arizona Secretary of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: An Arizona acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing a record. After Arizona adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, the statutory short form in A.R.S. 41-265 reads "This record was acknowledged before me on (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county, and the certificate needs the notary's stamp, title, and commission expiration. Fill it below.

Open the free fillable certificate ↓

Fillable Arizona acknowledgment certificate

Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the current Arizona RULONA wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity; this tool simply prepares the correct form.

What is the exact Arizona acknowledgment wording?

Arizona's individual acknowledgment wording under A.R.S. 41-265 is short and now uses "record" rather than "instrument," reflecting the state's move to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.

State of Arizona
County of ______

This record was acknowledged before me on ______ (date) by ______ (name of individual).

___________________________________
(Signature of notarial officer)

(Stamp)
Title of office: ______
My commission expires: ______

What must an Arizona acknowledgment include?

An Arizona acknowledgment must include the state and county venue, the date, the signer's name, and the notary's signature, official stamp, title of office, and commission expiration date. The notary signs their name exactly as it appears on file with the Secretary of State and dates the certificate at the moment they perform the act. The stamp is affixed to the left of the signature, and the notary certifies the language is correct by signing.

Element	What goes there
Venue	State of Arizona and the county where signing occurs
Date	The date the record was acknowledged
Signer	Name of the individual acknowledging
Notary	Signature, official stamp, title of office, commission expiration

Who commissions notaries in Arizona?

The Secretary of State commissions notaries in Arizona for a four-year term. A notary is a public officer of the state, and the commission authorizes acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, and oaths and affirmations. Arizona notaries cannot perform marriages. Remote online notarization is legal in Arizona, so a notary who registers accordingly may acknowledge records over live audio-video, listing the title of office as Notary Public or Remote Online Notary.

When do you use an acknowledgment instead of a jurat in Arizona?

You use an acknowledgment when the signer confirms they signed a record willingly, and a jurat when they must swear the document is true. For an acknowledgment, Arizona lets the signer bring a pre-signed document; they just appear, prove identity, and acknowledge the signature. A jurat requires signing in the notary's presence and an oath, and the notary must refuse a jurat on an incomplete document. Deeds, powers of attorney, and property transfers usually take an acknowledgment.

What common mistakes void an Arizona acknowledgment?

The common mistakes are leaving the county blank, omitting the commission expiration date, and notarizing without satisfactory evidence of identity. Arizona forbids a notary from affixing their signature or seal to an incomplete certificate, and a notary may not take an acknowledgment on a corporate record where they are a stockholder, director, officer, employee, or party, which makes the act voidable. A notary also may not certify a copy of an Arizona public record. Signing before the notarial act is performed is prohibited.

Arizona acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs Arizona acknowledgment forms?: A.R.S. 41-265 sets the short form certificates under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, replacing the older real-property forms.
Does the Arizona form use county or district?: County. The venue names the State of Arizona and the county where the signing takes place, unlike Alaska's judicial-district venue.
Does the signer sign in front of the Arizona notary?: Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.
Who commissions Arizona notaries?: The Secretary of State commissions Arizona notaries for a four-year term as public officers of the state.
Can an Arizona notary certify a copy?: Yes for many records, but a notary may not certify or attest a copy of an Arizona public record, with limited statutory exceptions.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Arizona Revised Statutes 41-255, 41-264 and 41-265; the Arizona Secretary of State Notary Public Reference Manual. Confirm current wording before relying on it.