Notary Public Application Instructions
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2State of Arizona – Office of the Secretary of State
ATTENTION:
Notary Public Application Instructions
Before applying, applicants
SEND BY MAIL TO:
Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Atten: Notary Division
must obtain and read the
1700 W. Washington Street, FL. 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808
Arizona Notary Public
Reference Manual,
OR return the application in person:
PHOENIX - State Capitol Executive Tower,
TUCSON - Arizona State Complex,
available at
KEN BENNETT
1700 W. Washington Street, 1st Fl., Room 103
400 W. Congress, 1st Fl., Suite 139-1
TO OBTAIN A PAPER COPY CALL
Secretary of State
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
(602) 542-6187.
PLEASE NOTE: The notary commission application process takes about four weeks.
R
. 12/20/2013
EV
Questions? Call the Secretary of State’s Office, Notary Division at (602) 542-6187.
T
Q
A
N
P
C
A
O
UALIFY FOR AN
RIZONA
OTARY
UBLIC
OMMISSION AN
PPLICANT
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be an Arizona Resident for income tax purposes.
Must be a citizen or a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
If you have had a professional license revoked or suspended
for misconduct or dishonesty or any cause that substantially
Must NOT have a conviction for a felony UNLESS your
relates to the duties or responsibilities of a notary public, or if
civil rights have been restored, or a conviction of a lesser
you have had your notary commission revoked or suspended,
offense involving moral turpitude or of a nature that is
the Secretary of State may refuse to grant you a commission.
incompatible with the duties of a notary public.
Must be able to read and write English.
Do Not Apply if You Fail to Meet Any of the Above Requirements.
STEP 1. Obtain and Complete a Notary Public Application
Applications are available in the Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual or online at The online application can be
filled out electronically and printed out.
Name/Signature Requirements:
Address Requirements:
Print or type your name (Section 2) and sign your name
Include the PHYSICAL location of your residence; you are
(Section 5) EXACTLY as you want your notary commission to
commissioned from your home address.
be issued. Include your middle initial or middle name ONLY if
ATTENTION: The Business Address is public record and will be
you intend to use it when signing as a notary public.
displayed online at the Secretary of State’s website.
Your signature in Section 5 must be an original signature in ink.
Fill in all form blanks:
The typed name and signature on the application must also
If a field is not applicable, respond with “n/a” unless a field is
EXACTLY match the name on the bond that you obtain in Step
“required.”
2 of these instructions.
STEP 2. Purchase a 4-year, $5,000 Notary bond in duplicate form from an insurance agent
To obtain a notary bond consult your local phone book for a list of insurance agents who supply bonds. You can also contact your
insurance agent to see if he or she offers notary bonds.
Name Requirements:
Signature Requirements:
The bond must show the printed (Section 2) and signed
Your signature must be properly notarized and sealed with an
(Section 5) name EXACTLY as prepared on the application.
ink notary seal on the bond. Because the bond is a “jurat” there
can’t be any blank spaces.
Date & Time-Frame Requirements:
The Notary who executes the bond cannot be the same person
The bond MUST include its effective and expiration dates.
who is purchasing the bond.
Effective Date: The bond cannot be issued MORE THAN 60
The bond must be countersigned by the authorized bonding
DAYS BEFORE the commission is initiated.
company agent in two places on the bond form.
Expiration date: The expiration date of the bond is always four
years later and one day less than the effective date.
STEP 3. Filing Procedure ~ Submission of the Application and Bond
Submit the following to the Secretary of State’s Office via mail or in person. See addresses listed at the top of these instructions.
Include the ORIGINAL application with an ORIGINAL signature.
Expedited Service Is Available
Include an ORIGINAL notarized bond with ORIGINAL
Include an additional $25.00 for expedited processing. Expedite
signatures.
processing varies with a 24-48 hour turnaround standard.
FEE: Include a check or money order in the amount of $43.00
Applicants who request expedited service need to clearly mark the
made payable to the Secretary of State.
envelope as “EXPEDITE.”
$25.00 application fee
$43.00 total filing fee (application and bond)
+ $18.00 notary bond fee
+ $25.00 expedited service request
= $43.00 total filing fee
= $68.00 total filing fee
STEP 4. Obtain an Official Notary Seal
The rubber stamp must contain five items:
WAIT to receive a commission certificate from the Secretary of
1. The words “NOTARY PUBLIC”;
State designating you as a notary. Once received:
Order a rubber notary seal (stamp) from a stationery store,
2. The name of the county in which you are commissioned;
office supply, or insurance company. (Vendors can be found in
3. Your name EXACTLY as it appears on the bond and the
the phone book.) The rubber stamp is your official seal, but you
application form;
may use an embosser in addition to the rubber stamp.
4. Your current commission expiration date; and
5. The Great Seal of Arizona.
Office Form SOSBSNPAppInstruc
State of Arizona - Notary Public Application Instructions
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Business