Becoming a commissioned notary public in Arizona requires passing a proctored notary competency exam, required since July 1, 2025 under A.R.S. §41-270. The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE (not administered directly by the Secretary of State) — 45 questions, 60 minutes, open-book, $35 per attempt, with 80% needed to pass — and is based on the Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual and Arizona Revised Statutes Chapter 41 Article 3.1. Downloading our free Arizona notary practice test PDF gives you a printable set of exam-style questions covering all tested topics — eligibility, notarial acts, identification requirements, seal requirements, remote online notarization (RON), and prohibited conduct.
Print the PDF, study it offline, and pair it with our online Arizona Notary practice test for a complete preparation plan before your official examination.
The Arizona notary knowledge exam tests your understanding of the duties, authorities, and limitations of an Arizona notary public. Here are the major topic areas you need to master:
Candidates must be at least 18 years old, be an Arizona resident or regularly employed in Arizona, and have no felony convictions involving fraud or dishonesty. The commission term is 4 years. Applicants must obtain a $5,000 surety bond and submit an application through the Arizona Secretary of State. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional but recommended.
Arizona notaries may perform acknowledgments (signer appears in person, presents satisfactory ID, and acknowledges voluntary signing), jurats or verifications on oath or affirmation (signer appears in person, signs in the notary's presence, and swears or affirms to the truthfulness of the document), copy certifications (certifying a photocopy is a true copy of an original — note that Arizona notaries cannot certify copies of government-issued vital records), signature witnessing, and administering oaths and affirmations.
A notary must verify the signer's identity using satisfactory evidence. Acceptable IDs include current government-issued photo IDs with a signature — such as a passport, driver license, state ID card, or military ID — and the ID must not be expired. Personal knowledge of the signer is also acceptable. Arizona allows one credible witness who personally knows the signer when the signer lacks a qualifying ID. For remote online notarization (RON), identity proofing requires knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis.
An Arizona notary seal must include the notary's name as commissioned, the title "Notary Public," the word "Arizona," and the commission expiration date. The seal may be a rubber stamp or embossed seal; a rubber stamp is recommended for legibility in document copies. Every notarial certificate must contain the venue (state and county), the notarial act statement, the notary's signature, the seal, and the commission expiration date.
Arizona authorizes RON for Arizona-commissioned notaries. The notary must use two-way audio-visual communication. Identity proofing requires both KBA and credential analysis. RON session recordings must be retained for at least 5 years. An electronic signature and electronic seal are required. Importantly, the signer does not need to be physically located in Arizona.
Notaries are prohibited from notarizing their own signature, acting after their commission expires, notarizing without personal appearance (unless authorized RON), making false entries in a notarial certificate, and misusing the notary title to imply legal advice. Arizona requires a notary journal for RON sessions but not for traditional in-person notarizations. Violations can result in commission revocation, civil liability, and criminal charges for fraud.
The printable PDF helps you study on your own schedule, but scoring yourself on timed online questions is the best way to simulate the real exam environment. Our Arizona Notary practice test covers every topic in the Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual with instant scoring and detailed answer explanations. Combine PDF study with online timed sessions to maximize your score on the official Arizona Secretary of State examination.
Try these questions from our free AZ Notary - Arizona Notary Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What is the background requirement for an Arizona notary public applicant?
Answer: A. Must have a clean criminal record
A crucial background requirement for an Arizona notary public applicant is to have a clean criminal record. Notaries hold a position of public trust, and a criminal history, particularly involving felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, can disqualify an applicant. This ensures the integrity and reliability of individuals performing notarial acts.
What is the length of an Arizona notary public's commission term?
Answer: C. 4 years
An Arizona notary commission is valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Which agency has the authority to refuse, revoke, or suspend an Arizona notary public's commission?
Answer: A. The Arizona Secretary of State
Under Arizona law, the Secretary of State is the commissioning authority for notaries public and holds the power to refuse to issue, revoke, or suspend a commission. The Supreme Court oversees attorneys, county recorders manage recorded documents, and the Attorney General handles enforcement of state laws but does not commission notaries.
Which of the following is a proper use of an oath administered by an Arizona notary public?
Answer: A. Swearing in a deponent before they give testimony at a deposition
Administering an oath to a deponent before a deposition is a classic and proper use of a notary's authority to administer oaths in Arizona.