Arizona Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In Arizona, which of the following details is NOT required to be recorded in the notary journal for each act?

The fee charged for the notarial act
The type of notarial act performed
The signer's Social Security Number (Correct answer)
The date and time of the notarial act

Correct answer: The signer's Social Security Number

Arizona notary journals do not require the signer's Social Security Number; required entries include date, time, type of act, document description, signer identity, fee, and signature.

Question 2: Does Arizona require notary applicants to complete an education course before commissioning?

No, and no education is ever needed
Yes, a mandatory 40-hour course
Yes, a mandatory 6-hour course
No, but education is recommended (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, but education is recommended

Arizona does not mandate a pre-commissioning education course for notary applicants. However, professional training is strongly recommended to ensure proper performance of duties.

Question 3: Which of the following statements about an Arizona notary's official seal is FALSE?

The notary's business address must be included on the seal. (Correct answer)
An embosser can be used in addition to the rubber stamp seal, but not as the official seal itself.
The seal must be a rubber stamp using dark ink.
The seal must not be larger than 1 1/2 inches high and 2 1/2 inches wide.

Correct answer: The notary's business address must be included on the seal.

The required elements on an Arizona notary seal include the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' the county of commission, the commission number, the expiration date, and the Great Seal of Arizona. There is no requirement for the notary's address, business or personal, to be on the seal.

Question 4: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary in Arizona?

25 years old
18 years old (Correct answer)
21 years old
16 years old

Correct answer: 18 years old

To become a notary in Arizona, an applicant must be at least 18 years old. This age requirement aligns with the legal age of majority, ensuring that notaries are adults capable of understanding and fulfilling the responsibilities of the office. It is a fundamental eligibility criterion set by state law.

Question 5: An Arizona notary who negligently performs a notarial act that causes financial harm to another person may be held liable for:

Civil damages to the injured party (Correct answer)
Loss of commission only, with no financial liability
No liability because notaries have sovereign immunity
Criminal fraud charges only

Correct answer: Civil damages to the injured party

Arizona notaries can face civil liability for negligent or improper notarial acts that cause harm. They may be required to pay damages to injured parties.

Question 6: If an Arizona notary public knowingly notarizes the signature of a person who was not physically present, the notary may face:

A fine of $25 and mandatory retraining
Revocation of commission, civil liability, and potential criminal charges (Correct answer)
No consequences if the document was legitimate
A written warning from the Secretary of State only

Correct answer: Revocation of commission, civil liability, and potential criminal charges

Knowingly notarizing without the signer present (except for RON) is a serious violation that can result in commission revocation, civil liability, and criminal prosecution for fraud.

Question 7: Arizona law requires notaries to positively identify signers. Which is NOT an acceptable form of identification?

State-issued identification card
U.S. passport
Arizona driver's license
Credit card with photo (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Credit card with photo

Arizona notary law requires government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. A credit card, even with a photo, is not a government-issued ID and is not acceptable.

Question 8: Which agency has the authority to refuse, revoke, or suspend an Arizona notary public's commission?

The Arizona Attorney General
The county recorder of the county where the notary resides
The Arizona Supreme Court
The Arizona Secretary of State (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 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.

Question 9: An employer directs an employee-notary to perform a notarization they know is improper. The notary complies. Who bears legal liability?

Neither party is liable if both had good intentions
The notary bears personal liability — following employer instructions is not a defense for violating notary law; the employer may also share liability (Correct answer)
The state is liable since it commissioned the notary
The employer alone — the employee was just following orders

Correct answer: The notary bears personal liability — following employer instructions is not a defense for violating notary law; the employer may also share liability

An Arizona notary is personally liable for improper notarizations they perform, regardless of employer instructions. 'Following orders' is not a defense under Arizona notary law. The employer may also face liability for directing the improper act.

Question 10: An Arizona notary charges different fees for acknowledgments versus jurats. Is this allowed?

Yes, as long as neither exceeds the $10 maximum (Correct answer)
No, all notarial acts must cost the same
No, the fee must always be exactly $10
Only if posted publicly

Correct answer: Yes, as long as neither exceeds the $10 maximum

A notary may charge different amounts for different types of acts, as long as no single act exceeds the $10 statutory maximum. They could charge $5 for acknowledgments and $10 for jurats, for example.

Question 11: How does Arizona's notary fee compare to most other states?

Arizona charges the lowest fees
Arizona has no fee cap, unlike other states
Arizona's $10 maximum is in the moderate range nationally (Correct answer)
Arizona has the highest fees in the nation

Correct answer: Arizona's $10 maximum is in the moderate range nationally

Arizona's $10 per act maximum falls in the moderate range compared to other states. Some states allow as little as $2, while others permit $25 or more per act.

Question 12: Are there any residency requirements to become a notary in Arizona?

No, but you must be registered to vote
Yes, you must be a legal resident of Arizona or have a business located in the state (Correct answer)
No, residency is not required
Yes, but only if you live in a bordering state

Correct answer: Yes, you must be a legal resident of Arizona or have a business located in the state

Yes, there are specific residency requirements to become a notary in Arizona. Applicants must either be a legal resident of Arizona or have a place of employment or a business located within the state. This ensures that notaries operate within the jurisdiction where they are commissioned and can be held accountable under Arizona law.

Question 13: An Arizona notary is asked to certify a copy of a U.S. passport. What should the notary do?

Certify it only if the requester signs an affidavit
Refuse because notaries cannot certify copies of documents issued by a federal agency (Correct answer)
Certify it as a true copy since any document may be copied
Certify it with a stamp noting it is a government document

Correct answer: Refuse because notaries cannot certify copies of documents issued by a federal agency

Arizona notaries cannot certify copies of documents that are publicly recorded or issued by a government agency, including federal passports.

Question 14: If an Arizona notary moves to a different county but remains in the state, what must the notary do?

Obtain a new notary seal immediately
Resign and reapply for a new commission
Take a new oath of office in the new county
Notify the Secretary of State of the new address within 30 days (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State of the new address within 30 days

Arizona notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any address change within 30 days, but the commission remains valid statewide.

Question 15: When performing an acknowledgment, the primary purpose is for the notary to certify that the signer:

Signed the document in the physical presence of the notary.
Is the person they claim to be and willingly signed the document for its stated purpose. (Correct answer)
Is competent and has the legal capacity to execute the document.
Appeared before the notary and swore the contents of the document were true.

Correct answer: Is the person they claim to be and willingly signed the document for its stated purpose.

The core function of an acknowledgment is for the notary to verify the identity of the signer and to certify that the signer appeared before them and acknowledged that they signed the record willingly for the purposes stated within it. Unlike a jurat, the document does not have to be signed in the notary's presence, and no oath is administered regarding the document's contents.

Question 16: If a notary's journal is lost or stolen, the notary must notify which agency within what time frame?

The County Recorder's office within five business days
The Governor's office within 30 days
The Secretary of State within ten days (Correct answer)
The local police department within 24 hours

Correct answer: The Secretary of State within ten days

Arizona Revised Statutes require a notary to promptly notify the Secretary of State if their journal is lost, stolen, or rendered unusable. The notification must be made within ten days of the discovery of the loss or theft. This allows the Secretary of State's office to be aware of the potential for fraudulent use of the notary's information.

Question 17: What is the term length for an Arizona notary public commission?

4 years (Correct answer)
2 years
Lifetime, subject to renewal every 10 years
5 years

Correct answer: 4 years

An Arizona notary commission is valid for 4 years from the date of appointment, after which the notary must apply for renewal.

Question 18: A notary in Arizona negligently acknowledges a signature without the signer present, and the document is later used in a fraudulent real estate transfer. Who may be held liable?

The county recorder for accepting the document
Only the fraudster who used the document
The notary, for failing to require personal appearance (Correct answer)
The title company that relied on the document

Correct answer: The notary, for failing to require personal appearance

Arizona notaries are personally liable for damages caused by their negligent or improper notarizations, including failure to require the signer's physical presence.

Question 19: Under what circumstance may an Arizona notary refuse to show their journal to an authorized law enforcement officer presenting proper credentials?

When the journal contains entries from other clients who did not consent
When the notary's employer has prohibited outside access to the journal
There are no lawful grounds to refuse an authorized inspection (Correct answer)
When an attorney is not present during the inspection

Correct answer: There are no lawful grounds to refuse an authorized inspection

An Arizona notary cannot lawfully refuse inspection of the journal by an authorized government official with proper credentials.

Question 20: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Arizona?

25 years old
18 years old (Correct answer)
16 years old
21 years old

Correct answer: 18 years old

Arizona requires notary applicants to be at least 18 years of age.

Question 21: If an Arizona resident applies for a notary commission but is not a U.S. citizen, can they be commissioned?

No, unless they have applied for citizenship
Yes, but only to notarize documents in their native language
No, only U.S. citizens may become Arizona notaries
Yes, lawful permanent residents and certain visa holders may qualify (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, lawful permanent residents and certain visa holders may qualify

Arizona does not restrict notary eligibility to U.S. citizens; lawful residents who meet other requirements may apply.

Question 22: What should an Arizona notary do if their journal is lost or stolen?

Nothing, journals are optional records
File a police report only if the journal had more than 100 entries
Notify the Secretary of State promptly (Correct answer)
Purchase a new journal and continue

Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State promptly

If a journal is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Arizona notary must notify the Secretary of State's office promptly. A police report should also be filed if theft is suspected.

Question 23: Which of the following would disqualify someone from becoming an Arizona notary?

Working as a self-employed contractor
Being over 65 years old
Having a college degree
Being convicted of a felony involving dishonesty (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Being convicted of a felony involving dishonesty

A felony conviction involving moral turpitude or dishonesty can disqualify an applicant from obtaining a notary commission in Arizona, as trustworthiness is essential to the role.

Question 24: How many witnesses are required for a standard acknowledgment in Arizona?

No witnesses — only the notary and signer (Correct answer)
One witness plus the notary
Two witnesses
Three witnesses

Correct answer: No witnesses — only the notary and signer

A standard acknowledgment in Arizona requires only the signer and the notary. No additional witnesses are required unless the document itself specifies witnesses.

Question 25: A notary's employer instructs the notary to notarize a document without the signer being personally present. The notary should:

Comply if the document is a business record rather than a legal instrument
Comply only if the signer is a known customer of the business
Comply because employers have authority over notary acts
Refuse, as personal appearance is required regardless of employer instructions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse, as personal appearance is required regardless of employer instructions

An employer cannot override Arizona's legal requirement that signers appear personally before the notary at the time of notarization.

Question 26: How long must an Arizona notary retain their journal of notarial acts after the expiration or resignation of their commission?

Five years
The journal must be surrendered to the Secretary of State immediately upon commission end
Three years (Correct answer)
One year

Correct answer: Three years

Arizona law requires notaries to retain their journal of notarial acts for at least three years following the expiration, resignation, or revocation of their commission.

Question 27: Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for an official notary seal in Arizona?

The seal's dimensions must be exactly 2 inches round.
It must contain the Great Seal of Arizona. (Correct answer)
The ink color must be red or green.
It must be an embosser.

Correct answer: It must contain the Great Seal of Arizona.

Per the Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual, a valid notary seal must be a rubber stamp that uses dark ink (like black, dark blue, or dark purple), includes the words 'Notary Public,' the notary's name as commissioned, the county of commission, the commission expiration date, the commission number, and the Great Seal of Arizona.

Question 28: Under Arizona law, a notary who is also an attorney-in-fact for a principal may notarize documents signed by that principal:

Only if the notary does not benefit financially from the transaction
Never, because acting as attorney-in-fact creates a direct interest (Correct answer)
Only with written consent from the principal
Freely, because the principal granted the authority

Correct answer: Never, because acting as attorney-in-fact creates a direct interest

Serving as attorney-in-fact creates a legal relationship that constitutes a disqualifying interest, prohibiting the notary from also notarizing the principal's documents.

Question 29: Under Arizona law, a notary is prohibited from notarizing a signature for which of the following individuals?

A distant cousin
Their spouse, if the notary is also a party to the document (Correct answer)
Their employer
A close friend

Correct answer: Their spouse, if the notary is also a party to the document

Arizona law prohibits a notary from performing a notarial act if the notary is a signer of, is named in, or is a party to the document that is to be notarized. This creates a direct and unavoidable conflict of interest. While notarizing for family members is often discouraged and may create a conflict of interest in some cases, it is not an absolute prohibition unless the notary is also a party to or benefits from the transaction.

Question 30: An Arizona notary discovers they made an error on a completed notarial certificate. What is the correct procedure?

Draw a single line through the error, initial and date the correction (Correct answer)
The error cannot be corrected once the seal is applied
White out the error and initial the correction
Destroy the document and start over

Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, initial and date the correction

The correct procedure is to draw a single line through the error (so it remains readable), then initial and date the correction. White-out or complete obliteration of the error is not acceptable.

Question 31: An individual with a misdemeanor DUI conviction applies for an Arizona notary commission. What is the likely outcome?

Likely approval, as DUI is not related to dishonesty (Correct answer)
Automatic denial
Commission granted but restricted to certain acts
Referral to criminal court

Correct answer: Likely approval, as DUI is not related to dishonesty

A DUI misdemeanor typically does not involve moral turpitude or dishonesty, so it generally would not disqualify someone from obtaining a notary commission. Convictions involving fraud, forgery, or dishonesty are more likely to cause denial.

Arizona Notary Public Exam

The Arizona Notary Public exam tests knowledge of notarial duties, laws, and procedures required to become a commissioned notary public in the state of Arizona.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

70%

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