AZ Notary Laws and Regulations 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Arizona's Remote Online Notarization (RON) law requires that the notary and signer interact in what manner?
- Via pre-recorded video only
- Through real-time audio-visual communication (Correct answer)
- By telephone with document fax
- Via encrypted email exchange
Correct answer: Through real-time audio-visual communication
Arizona's RON statute requires simultaneous, real-time audio-visual communication between the notary and each signer.
Question 2: When performing a remote online notarization in Arizona, what must the notary retain as part of the record?
- Only the original paper document
- An audio-visual recording of the notarial act (Correct answer)
- A written transcript of the session
- The signer's original government-issued ID
Correct answer: An audio-visual recording of the notarial act
Arizona RON law requires the notary to retain an audio-visual recording of each remote notarial act for a specified period.
Question 3: Under Arizona law, a notary's seal must include which of the following elements?
- The notary's social security number
- The notary's commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- The county in which the bond was filed
- The notary's employer's name
Correct answer: The notary's commission expiration date
Arizona law requires the notary seal to contain the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public – State of Arizona,' and the commission expiration date.
Question 4: An Arizona notary is asked to notarize a document in a language the notary cannot read. What is the correct action?
- Proceed if the signer provides a verbal translation
- Refuse to notarize; the notary cannot verify the document's content (Correct answer)
- Notarize only the signature block, not the body
- Require a certified translator to co-sign the certificate
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize; the notary cannot verify the document's content
While a notary does not certify document content, the notary must be able to complete the notarial certificate, which requires understanding its language; inability to do so warrants refusal.
Question 5: Under A.R.S. § 41-351, which scenario is specifically prohibited for an Arizona notary?
- Notarizing a document for a stranger
- Notarizing a document in which the notary has a direct financial interest (Correct answer)
- Charging the maximum statutory fee
- Notarizing documents outside the notary's county of appointment
Correct answer: Notarizing a document in which the notary has a direct financial interest
Arizona law prohibits a notary from notarizing a document in which the notary is named as a party or has a direct financial or beneficial interest.
Question 6: How long must an Arizona notary retain journal entries after the notarial act?
- 1 year
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
Arizona notaries are required to retain journal records for at least five years after the date of the notarial act.
Question 7: If an Arizona notary's stamp or seal is lost or stolen, what is the notary required to do?
- Continue notarizing with a handwritten 'SEAL' notation until replaced
- Immediately notify the Secretary of State and disable or destroy the seal (Correct answer)
- File a police report only, with no obligation to notify the Secretary of State
- Purchase a replacement seal and resume notarizing immediately
Correct answer: Immediately notify the Secretary of State and disable or destroy the seal
Arizona law requires immediate notification to the Secretary of State when a notary seal is lost, stolen, or compromised to prevent fraudulent use.
AZ Notary Laws and Regulations 5
Arizona's Remote Online Notarization (RON) law requires that the notary and signer interact in what manner?