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If you’re thinking about becoming a notary in Arizona, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
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Introduction
A notary public is an individual commissioned by the state to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. In Arizona, commissioning as a notary is handled by the Secretary of State’s office.
To become a notary in Arizona, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a legal resident of Arizona or a resident of a bordering state with a commercial domicile in Arizona
-Not have had a notary commission revoked in any state within the last five years
-Complete an approved six-hour training course within one year prior to filing your application
-Submit a completed Notary Public License Application, including the required $6 filing fee, to the Secretary of State’s office
-Take the Oath of Office and fee bond before a Notary Commissioning Official
What is a Notary?
A notary is a public officer who is authorized by the state to perform certain legal formalities, most commonly to witness the signing of important documents. In order to become a notary, you must first pass an examination administered by the Arizona Notary Commission and then file an application with the Secretary of State’s office. Once you are sworn in, you will be issued a commission certificate and may begin practicing as a notary.
Notaries are often called upon to witness the signing of important documents, such as wills, contracts, and deed transfers. They may also be asked to take signatures or acknowledgments on other documents, such as powers of attorney or loan applications. Notaries are not allowed to provide legal advice or prepare legal documents.
The Steps to Becoming a Notary in Arizona
Notaries play an important role in our society by witnessing and attesting to the signing of important documents. In order to become a notary in Arizona, there are a few steps that must be followed. First, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Arizona. You must also be able to read and write in English and have no felony convictions.
Step One: Determine Your Qualifications
You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Arizona, and have no felony convictions. You will also need to complete a six-hour approved notary education course and pass a written exam administered by the Arizona Notary Commission.
Step Two: Complete the Notary Public Application
You will need to complete the notary public application and submit it to the Arizona Notary Commission. The application must include your original notary public bond and a Certificate of Completion for the required notary education course. The completed application, bond, and certificate can be submitted by mail or in person.
Step Three: Get Your Fingerprints Taken
After your application is received, you will be notified by the Arizona Notary Commission to get your fingerprints taken. You can get your fingerprints taken at any Arizona police department or sheriff’s office that offers live scan fingerprinting services. The fingerprinting fee is $20.00 and must be paid at the time of service. After your fingerprints are taken, the live scan operator will send them electronically to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). Once DPS completes a background check, they will send the results electronically to the Secretary of State’s Office. If you have ever been convicted of a felony, you will not be eligible to become a notary public in Arizona.
Step Four: Take the Oath of Office
After your background check has been cleared, you will be notified by the Secretary of State’s Office to take the Oath of Office. The Oath of Office must be taken in front of an authorized person such as a judge, clerk of court, or another commissioned notary public. You will then need to sign and date your official notary public commission certificate. After taking the Oath of Office, you will need to purchase a surety bond for $5,000 and submit it to the Secretary of State’s Office within 30 days.
Step Two: Complete the Notary Public Application
The next step to becoming a notary in Arizona is to complete the Notary Public Application. This form must be completed and submitted to the County Clerk’s office in the county where you reside. The application must be renewed every four years.
There is a $6 fee to become a notary in Arizona, which must be paid at the time of submission. Once your application has been processed, you will be notified by the County Clerk’s office and will be able to pick up your official notary stamp and seal.
Step Three: Take the Notary Public Exam
After you have completed the required training and assembled your Notary supplies, you will need to pass an exam in order to become a Notary Public in Arizona. The cost of the exam is $40, and you will need to bring two forms of identification with you on the day of the test. The test will cover Arizona notarial law, procedures, and best practices. You must score 70% or higher on the exam in order to pass.
Step Four: Get Your Notary Public Commission
After you have completed the above steps, you are now ready to apply for your Notary Public Commission with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office. The application must be typewritten or completed online.
You will also need to provide the following with your application:
-A 2”x2” color passport-style photograph taken within the last 6 months
-A check or money order for $6 made payable to the “Arizona Secretary of State”
-Your original Notary Public Bond in the amount of $5,000
-A Certificate of Completion for the Notary Public Education Seminar
After your application has been processed, you will be mailed your Notary Public Commission certificate and official seal.
How to Renew Your Notary Public Commission
You must renew your notary public commission every four years. The Arizona Secretary of State’s office will mail you a renewal form approximately 90 days before your commission expires. You must complete the form and return it to the office, along with a $6 fee, within 60 days of the expiration date.
How to Perform Notarizations
To become a Notary in Arizona, you must first complete a 6-hour Notary Education Course. After you have completed the Notary Education Course, you will then need to pass the Arizona Notary Exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit an application to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.
Notarizing Documents
To notarize a document, the signer must appear in person before the notary public and present an acceptable form of identification. The signer must then orally declare to the notary public that he or she has signed the document for the stated purpose.
The notary public must then complete a Notary Certificate, which states that the requirements for performing a valid notarization have been met. The Notary Certificate is then affixed to the document.
Notarizing Affidavits
An affidavit is a voluntary, sworn statement made by an individual. In order for an affidavit to be notarized, the signer must personally appear before the Notary Public and declare that the information contained in the document is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. The Notary must witness the signer’s oath or affirmation and then attach their official notarial certificate to the document.
Affidavits are commonly used in situations where the signer does not have first-hand knowledge of the events in question, but is willing to state, under oath, that the information contained in the document is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. For example, an affidavit may be used to attest to the identity of an individual or to verify that a document is a true and accurate copy of the original.
Notarizing Acknowledgments
To notarize an acknowledgment, the signer must personally appear before the Notary Public and sign the document in the Notary’s presence. The Notary must then complete the jurat or certificate of acknowledgment by filling in all required information and affixing their officialNotary seal.
Notary Public Resources
A notary public is an individual who is appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. Notaries are also responsible for verifying the identity of people signing documents and ensuring that they understand the contents of those documents. In Arizona, anyone who is interested in becoming a notary public must first complete an approved training course.
After completing a training course, applicants must submit an application to the Arizona Notary Commission. The application must be accompanied by a $40 filing fee and a certificate of completion for the approved training course. Applicants must also submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency and have their fingerprints taken.
Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview with a member of the Arizona Notary Commission. After successfully completing the interview, the applicant will be appointed as a notary public for a four-year term.
Conclusion
The steps to becoming a notary public in Arizona are relatively simple. First, you must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the state. Second, you must complete a notary public education course approved by the Arizona Notary Public Commission. Finally, you must pass an examination administered by the Commission. Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be able to apply for a notary public commission from the state of Arizona.
