AZ Notary Eligibility Requirements and Application 3

Question 1

Under A.R.S. § 41-311, which of the following persons IS eligible to receive an Arizona notary commission?

Accepted Answer

A permanent resident alien who lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona

Answer

A 17-year-old who has graduated high school

Answer

A Canadian citizen who works full-time at an office in Phoenix but lives in Flagstaff, Arizona

Answer

A U.S. citizen residing in Tucson whose Arizona notary commission was revoked 8 years ago

Question 2

What training is required for a first-time Arizona notary applicant as of 2022?

Accepted Answer

Completion of an online notary training course approved by the Secretary of State and passage of a test

Answer

No training is required; applicants need only submit the application and bond

Answer

Completion of a 3-hour in-person training course approved by the Secretary of State

Answer

Apprenticeship with a current Arizona notary for at least 6 months

Question 3

An Arizona notary's commission expires. The notary has several documents they notarized during their commission. How long must they retain their notary journal?

Accepted Answer

5 years from the date of expiration of the commission

Answer

They may discard the journal upon expiration of the commission

Answer

10 years from the last entry in the journal

Answer

Indefinitely, as there is no statutory destruction date

Question 4

A notary's employer asks the notary to perform a notarization but then fires the notary. The employer claims ownership of the notary's seal and journal. Under Arizona law, who owns these items?

Accepted Answer

The notary, because the seal and journal are personal official property belonging to the commissioned notary, not the employer

Answer

The employer, who paid for the seal and is entitled to business records generated during employment

Answer

The state, which can recall all official seals and journals upon request

Answer

Jointly owned, with the notary retaining the journal and the employer retaining the seal

Question 5

A person applies for an Arizona notary commission but does not reside in Arizona. Under what circumstances can they still qualify?

Accepted Answer

They qualify if they maintain a regular place of work or business in Arizona, even if they reside in another state

Answer

They can never qualify — Arizona requires full-time residency

Answer

They qualify if they own real property in Arizona, regardless of where they live or work

Answer

They qualify if a licensed Arizona attorney sponsors their application

Question 6

When is it appropriate for an Arizona notary to resign their commission?

Accepted Answer

A notary may resign at any time by providing written notice to the Secretary of State and destroying their seal

Answer

Only when forced to by the Secretary of State due to violations

Answer

A notary may resign only after the commission has been active for at least 2 years

Answer

Resignation is not permitted — a commission must expire naturally