Arizona Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: How does Arizona's notary fee compare to most other states?

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

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 2: Which scenario would constitute a conflict of interest for an Arizona notary?

Notarizing for a stranger at a bank
Notarizing at a location 50 miles from their office
Notarizing a document written in Spanish
Notarizing a real estate deed where the notary is the buyer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notarizing a real estate deed where the notary is the buyer

Being the buyer in a real estate transaction where you also serve as the notary creates a direct financial interest, which is a prohibited conflict of interest.

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

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 notary's business address must be included on the seal. (Correct answer)
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: An Arizona notary witnesses a signer who appears to be under duress. What should the notary do?

Refuse the notarization (Correct answer)
Ask the accompanying person to leave the room
Proceed if the signer says they want to sign
Proceed but note the concern in the journal

Correct answer: Refuse the notarization

If a notary has reasonable suspicion that a signer is being coerced or is under duress, they must refuse the notarization. Voluntariness is a fundamental requirement.

Question 5: An Arizona notary notarizes 5 signatures on one document. What is the maximum they can charge?

$50 total — $10 per signature/act (Correct answer)
$25 total — $5 per signature
$10 per page of the document
$10 total for the document

Correct answer: $50 total — $10 per signature/act

Each signature requiring notarization is a separate notarial act. With 5 signatures, the notary may charge up to $10 for each act, totaling $50 maximum.

Question 6: A notary is not required to record a journal entry for which of the following acts?

Taking an acknowledgment on a real estate deed
Certifying a copy of a document in the public record, if employed by a law firm (Correct answer)
Witnessing a signature on a power of attorney
Administering an oath or affirmation

Correct answer: Certifying a copy of a document in the public record, if employed by a law firm

Arizona law provides a specific exception to the journal requirement for notaries who are employed by an attorney, law firm, or government entity. When acting in the scope of that employment, they are not required to make a journal entry when making a certified copy of a document that is in the public record. All other common notarial acts require a journal entry.

Question 7: A deponent states they have a religious objection to swearing an oath. What must an Arizona notary do?

Refuse to proceed and send the deponent away
Administer an affirmation instead of an oath (Correct answer)
Require a written religious exemption form first
Contact the Arizona Secretary of State for guidance

Correct answer: Administer an affirmation instead of an oath

Arizona law requires notaries to offer an affirmation as an alternative when a person objects to taking an oath on religious or other grounds.

Question 8: Under Arizona law, a notary who is also an attorney-in-fact for a principal may notarize documents signed by that principal:

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

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 9: Which document must an Arizona notary applicant submit along with their application to the Secretary of State?

A surety bond of $5,000 (Correct answer)
A letter of recommendation from a licensed attorney
A notarized personal statement
Proof of U.S. citizenship

Correct answer: A surety bond of $5,000

Arizona requires notary applicants to obtain and submit a $5,000 surety bond as part of the application process.

Question 10: Before performing remote online notarizations (RON) in Arizona, a notary must first:

Complete a 40-hour electronic notarization training course
Register with the Arizona Secretary of State and receive authorization (Correct answer)
Post an additional surety bond of at least $25,000
Obtain a separate RON license from the county clerk

Correct answer: Register with the Arizona Secretary of State and receive authorization

Arizona notaries must register with and receive approval from the Secretary of State before performing any remote online notarizations.

Question 11: A signer claims they signed a document two weeks ago but wants an acknowledgment today. What must the notary do?

Notarize the document only if a witness can confirm the earlier signing
Require the signer to re-sign in front of the notary
Refuse because notaries can only acknowledge documents signed in their presence
Ask the signer to acknowledge that the signature on the document is theirs and was freely made (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ask the signer to acknowledge that the signature on the document is theirs and was freely made

An acknowledgment does not require the signer to sign in the notary's presence — the signer only needs to personally appear and acknowledge that the existing signature is their own, made freely and voluntarily.

Question 12: Can an Arizona notary use correction fluid (white-out) to fix an error in their journal?

No — draw a line through the error, correct it, and initial (Correct answer)
Yes, as long as they initial the correction
Only for minor spelling errors
Yes, but only within 24 hours of the entry

Correct answer: No — draw a line through the error, correct it, and initial

Correction fluid destroys the original entry and raises suspicion of tampering. The proper method is to draw a single line through the error (keeping it legible), write the correction, and initial and date the change.

Question 13: An Arizona notary charges $15 for a notarization. What rule have they violated?

The maximum fee rule — Arizona caps fees at $10 per act (Correct answer)
The minimum fee rule — the charge is too low
No rule — notaries set their own fees
The flat fee rule — all acts must cost the same

Correct answer: The maximum fee rule — Arizona caps fees at $10 per act

Arizona caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act. Charging $15 exceeds the legal maximum and violates state notary fee regulations.

Question 14: An attorney asks a notary in their firm to handle a notarization for a client. The notarization is related to a sensitive legal matter, and the attorney states the journal entry should be kept confidential under attorney-client privilege. What is the correct procedure for the notary?

Record the act in the standard journal but mark the entry as "Confidential - Do Not Disclose."
Inform the attorney that all notary journal entries are public record and cannot be kept confidential under any circumstances.
Maintain a separate journal specifically for non-public records, such as those protected by attorney-client privilege. (Correct answer)
Refuse to record the notarization in the journal to protect client confidentiality.

Correct answer: Maintain a separate journal specifically for non-public records, such as those protected by attorney-client privilege.

A.R.S. § 41-319(E) specifies that if a notary performs notarizations that are not public records (e.g., due to attorney-client privilege), the notary must keep a separate journal for those non-public entries. This allows the notary to comply with public records requests for their standard journal while protecting confidential information in the separate journal.

Question 15: Under Arizona law, a resident of which neighboring state may be eligible to become an Arizona notary public without moving to Arizona?

No out-of-state residents are eligible — Arizona residency is strictly required
Only residents of New Mexico, because of a reciprocal agreement
A resident of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or New Mexico who is regularly employed or does business in Arizona (Correct answer)
Any U.S. state resident, as long as they pass the Arizona notary exam

Correct answer: A resident of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or New Mexico who is regularly employed or does business in Arizona

ARS §41-312 extends eligibility to residents of bordering states (CA, NV, UT, CO, NM) who are regularly employed or carry on a business in Arizona, even if they live across the border.

Question 16: An Arizona notary discovers mid-ceremony that a signer appears to be under duress. What is the correct action?

Complete the notarization and note the concern in the journal
Proceed only if the signer verbally confirms willingness
Refuse to complete the notarial act (Correct answer)
Notify the county recorder immediately

Correct answer: Refuse to complete the notarial act

A notary must refuse to perform a notarial act if the signer does not appear to be acting voluntarily.

Question 17: What type of notarial act must an Arizona notary record in the journal even if the signer is personally known to the notary?

Oaths and affirmations only
Copy certifications only
All notarial acts, without exception (Correct answer)
Only acts involving real property documents

Correct answer: All notarial acts, without exception

Arizona law requires all notarial acts to be recorded in the journal regardless of whether the notary personally knows the signer.

Question 18: Under Arizona law, what is the key difference between an oath and an affirmation when administered by a notary?

An oath requires a witness, while an affirmation does not
An oath invokes a divine being, while an affirmation is a solemn pledge on the affiant's personal honor (Correct answer)
An oath and an affirmation have entirely different legal effects
An oath is only valid for court documents, while an affirmation can be used for any document

Correct answer: An oath invokes a divine being, while an affirmation is a solemn pledge on the affiant's personal honor

An oath is a solemn pledge invoking a divine being, while an affirmation is an equally solemn pledge on the person's personal honor, used when the individual has a conscientious objection to swearing by a deity.

Question 19: Before performing a notarization for a fee, a notary must:

Require the signer to pay in cash only
Get approval from the Secretary of State for their fee schedule
Post a sign with their fee schedule in their vehicle
Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent

Transparency is a key principle in charging notarial fees. A notary must inform the signer of the fees for the notarial act before performing it. This ensures the signer is aware of the cost upfront and can agree to it before the service is rendered.

Question 20: What is 'vicarious liability' in the context of an employed Arizona notary, and how does it affect both the notary and their employer?

Under respondeat superior, an employer may be vicariously liable for a notary employee's improper notarial acts committed within the scope of employment, but this does not eliminate the notary's personal liability (Correct answer)
Vicarious liability completely shields the employee notary from any personal liability
Vicarious liability does not apply to notarial acts because notaries are state officials, not employees in this context
Vicarious liability means the employer is liable instead of the notary for all notarial acts performed during employment

Correct answer: Under respondeat superior, an employer may be vicariously liable for a notary employee's improper notarial acts committed within the scope of employment, but this does not eliminate the notary's personal liability

Under respondeat superior, employers can be held vicariously liable for notarial misconduct by employed notaries acting within the scope of employment. However, this does not eliminate the notary's own personal liability — both may be sued.

Question 21: During a jurat, when must the signer sign the document?

At any time, as long as they acknowledge it later
In the notary's physical presence (Correct answer)
Before appearing before the notary
Within 24 hours of the notarization

Correct answer: In the notary's physical presence

A jurat specifically requires that the document be signed in the physical presence of the notary. This is a key distinction from an acknowledgment, where the document may have been signed earlier.

Question 22: For what purpose would an Arizona notary most appropriately use an 'affirmation' rather than an 'oath' when administering a sworn statement?

When the signer states they have a religious objection to swearing an oath or otherwise conscientiously objects to swearing (Correct answer)
When the document being sworn to is in a language other than English
When the notary personally believes an affirmation is more appropriate for the subject matter
When the document is to be used in another state that does not recognize oaths

Correct answer: When the signer states they have a religious objection to swearing an oath or otherwise conscientiously objects to swearing

An affirmation is appropriate when the signer has a religious or conscientious objection to swearing an oath. The affirmation provides the same legal binding as an oath without invoking a religious or divine witness.

Question 23: An Arizona mobile notary charges $75 to come to a client's home and notarize one signature. Is this legal?

No, the maximum charge is $10 total
Only if the client agreed in writing
No, mobile notary fees are capped at $25
Yes, if $10 is for the notarization and $65 is a reasonable travel fee (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, if $10 is for the notarization and $65 is a reasonable travel fee

The breakdown matters: $10 maximum for the notarial act plus a reasonable travel fee is permissible. The key is that the travel fee is separate from and clearly distinguished from the notarization fee.

Question 24: An Arizona notary who negligently performs a notarial act that causes financial harm to another person may be held liable for:

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

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 25: What is the primary purpose of notary associations in Arizona?

To sell notary supplies
To provide resources, training, and support for notaries (Correct answer)
To notarize documents for free
To certify legal documents

Correct answer: To provide resources, training, and support for notaries

The primary purpose of notary associations in Arizona is to provide essential resources, training, and ongoing support for notaries public. These organizations aim to elevate the profession by offering educational opportunities, keeping members updated on legal changes, and fostering a community for shared knowledge and best practices. They are not primarily focused on selling supplies or providing free notarizations.

Question 26: An Arizona notary discovers that a document they notarized six months ago was used in a fraudulent real estate transaction. The notary performed the notarization correctly according to all procedures. What ethical and practical steps should the notary take?

Cooperate with any law enforcement or legal investigation, produce journal records as lawfully requested, preserve all records, and consider notifying the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
Immediately destroy all records to avoid involvement in the investigation
Nothing — the notary properly performed their function and has no further obligation
Submit a written resignation to the Secretary of State to avoid liability

Correct answer: Cooperate with any law enforcement or legal investigation, produce journal records as lawfully requested, preserve all records, and consider notifying the Secretary of State

A notary who learns their properly-performed notarization was used in fraud should: cooperate with law enforcement, preserve and produce journal records pursuant to legal process, and may notify the Secretary of State. Destroying records or resigning would be harmful and potentially criminal.

Question 27: When renewing an Arizona notary commission, what document must the notary submit along with the application?

A certified copy of their birth certificate
A letter of recommendation from an Arizona licensed attorney
Proof of homeownership in Arizona
A new surety bond in the required amount (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A new surety bond in the required amount

Each new commission term requires a fresh surety bond because the prior bond covers only the prior term.

Question 28: A notary's friend asks them to backdate a notarial certificate to yesterday. How should the notary respond?

Refuse — backdating is fraud (Correct answer)
Agree since it's only one day
Ask the Secretary of State for permission
Agree if the friend signs a waiver

Correct answer: Refuse — backdating is fraud

Backdating a notarial certificate is fraud and a criminal offense. The certificate must always reflect the actual date the notarization was performed.

Question 29: An Arizona notary is asked by a signer to explain the legal effect of the document they are about to sign. What should the notary do?

Read the document aloud to the signer but add no interpretation
Decline to provide legal advice and suggest the signer consult with an attorney if they have questions about the document's legal effect (Correct answer)
Explain the document's legal effect as helpfully as possible to ensure the signer is informed
Explain only the notarial certificate portion and refuse to discuss anything else

Correct answer: Decline to provide legal advice and suggest the signer consult with an attorney if they have questions about the document's legal effect

Explaining the legal effect of a document constitutes legal advice, which requires a license to practice law in Arizona. An Arizona notary who is not also an attorney must decline to provide legal advice and should direct the signer to an attorney.

Question 30: How long must an Arizona notary retain their journal after their commission ends?

Permanently
7 years
1 year
5 years (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5 years

Arizona notaries must retain their journal for at least 5 years after their commission expires or is resigned. The journal may be needed as evidence in legal proceedings.

Question 31: What is the ethical obligation of an Arizona notary regarding conflicts of interest in real estate transaction notarizations?

There are no conflict of interest rules specific to real estate — general notary rules apply
Arizona notaries involved in a real estate transaction (as agent, lender, title officer, etc.) must not also serve as the notary for that transaction when they have a financial interest in it (Correct answer)
Notaries may serve in dual roles (e.g., title officer and notary) in the same transaction as long as they disclose the dual role
Real estate professionals (agents, title officers) are expressly prohibited from serving as notaries in any transaction they are involved in

Correct answer: Arizona notaries involved in a real estate transaction (as agent, lender, title officer, etc.) must not also serve as the notary for that transaction when they have a financial interest in it

Arizona's disqualification standard applies to real estate transactions: a notary who has a financial or beneficial interest in the real estate transaction — as an agent earning a commission, a lender earning interest, or a title company employee processing a transaction — may not also serve as the notary for that transaction.

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%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

azleg.gov — Eligibility · verified Oct 2026
azsos.gov — Test delivery, fees, passing score, registration, renewal, retake fee, retake policy, score validity, exam format, time limit · verified Oct 2026
pearsonvue.com — Registration deadline · verified Oct 2026