Arizona Notary Bond$5,000 Bond + New Prometric Exam
Arizona now requires a 45-question Prometric exam (80% pass rate, $46.75) for all new and renewing notaries — effective July 1, 2025. Most competitor pages haven't updated for this. The $5,000 bond per ARS §41-315 must be filed in duplicate within the ±60-day window around your commission date. New to bonds? Read what is a surety bond and explore our notary bonds hub.
Get Your $5,000 Arizona Bond
New exam required since July 2025
The ±60-Day Bond Timing Rule (ARS §41-315)
Arizona has a specific timing window for bond filing that competitors either miss or misrepresent. Per ARS §41-315: “The secretary of state shall not accept any bond that was issued more than sixty days before or more than sixty days after the date on which the secretary of state commissions a notary.”
Also required: Submit the bond in duplicate — original to the SOS, duplicate copy retained by you. Mail to: Secretary of State, Attn: Notary Dept., 1700 W. Washington St., Fl. 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808. For a general overview of how surety bonds are filed, see how to get a surety bond.
The Prometric Exam — What You Need to Know
This is the biggest change to Arizona notary requirements in years. Effective July 1, 2025, every applicant — new and renewal — must pass this exam before commissioning. No competitor bond page adequately covers this. Source: Arizona Secretary of State.
Study Material
Questions are drawn from the 2025 Notary Public Reference Manual, published by the Arizona Secretary of State. Download at azsos.gov. No separate education course is required — the manual is your study guide.
Testing Locations
10 Prometric testing centers across Arizona plus a remote online option. Available to schedule since May 1, 2025. No limit on retakes, but each attempt costs $46.75.
Official Arizona Requirements
"A person who has been commissioned as a notary shall file with the secretary of state an oath of office and a bond in an amount prescribed by the secretary of state in order for the commission to become effective."Arizona Secretary of State • ARS §41-315 / AAC R2-12-1102 ($5,000)
Total Cost to Become an Arizona Notary
No competitor consolidates all three fees in one place. For general pricing across bond types, see our surety bond cost guide. Whether you are exploring surety bond options across all states or just need an Arizona notary bond, we make costs transparent.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Prometric exam fee | $46.75 |
| Application + bond filing fee (SOS) | $43.00 |
| $5,000 surety bond (4-year term) | ~$25-40 |
| Total | ~$115-130 |
Arizona Notary Bond Premium by Credit Score
Based on a $5,000 bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 1-2%$20-25
- Good (660-719)Rate: 2-3%$25-35
- Fair (600-659)Rate: 3-5%$35-60
- Below Average (500-599)Rate: 5-10%$60-125
- Poor (below 500)Rate: 10-15%$125-190
Premium covers the full 4-year commission. Most Arizona applicants pay $25-35 total for the bond.
Use the notary bond calculator for a personalized estimate, or see the notary bond cost guide for all states.
Eligibility (ARS §41-312)
- Arizona resident
- At least 18 years old
- Able to read and write English
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Pass Prometric exam (since July 2025)
- No disqualifying criminal history
Fee Schedule (AAC R2-12-1102)
Applies to all act types including electronic and remote. Source: AAC R2-12-1102
RON in Arizona
Same $5,000 bond covers RON — no additional bond needed.
Must be an active AZ notary first, then apply for RON credentials through the SOS.
Contract with an approved technology vendor required.
Notary must be physically in Arizona during RON.
RON rules finalized December 2023.
Source: azsos.gov — Remote & eNotary
Compare with neighboring states: California ($15K, exam required), Nevada ($10K), New Mexico, Utah, Colorado ($5K). See all bond types or notary requirements by state.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your $5,000 Arizona notary bond protects the public from losses caused by your notarial errors or misconduct — not you. If the surety pays a claim, they will seek full reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you by covering your personal liability and defense costs. Arizona does not require E&O, but it is a smart addition for any notary handling real property, loan signings, or business documents. Learn more in our bond vs. insurance guide.
Get Your $5,000 Arizona Notary Bond
Instant approval, no credit check. Have your bond ready when you pass the exam.
Get Your Bond NowDisqualification (ARS §41-330)
The Secretary of State may deny, revoke, or suspend a commission for:
- • Fraudulent, dishonest, or deceitful application statements
- • Felony conviction (unless civil rights restored AND no reasonable relationship to notary duties)
- • Conviction of fraud, dishonesty, or deceit
- • Adverse finding in legal proceedings based on fraud/dishonesty
Felony restoration path: Provide explanation, original charge documentation, and court order showing civil rights restored. The SOS retains discretion even with restoration if the felony has a “reasonable relationship to the functions of the office of Notary Public.”
Arizona professionals may also need an Arizona auto dealer bond or a Arizona contractor license bond. See all bond types or read about types of surety bonds.
Arizona Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Arizona notary exam requirement?
Effective July 1, 2025, ALL new and renewing Arizona notary applicants must pass a Prometric exam. It's 45 questions, 60-minute time limit, 80% passing score (36/45), and costs $46.75 per attempt. Study material is the 2025 Notary Public Reference Manual from the Arizona Secretary of State. Available at 10 Prometric testing sites across Arizona plus a remote option.
How much does it cost total to become an Arizona notary?
Total out-of-pocket: ~$115-$130. That breaks down as: $25-$40 bond premium (4-year term), $43 application and bond filing fee to the SOS, and $46.75 Prometric exam fee. The bond must be from a surety licensed in Arizona. For general pricing, see /surety-bond-cost/.
What is the plus-minus-60-day bond timing rule?
Per ARS §41-315, the Secretary of State will not accept a bond issued more than 60 days before or more than 60 days after your commission date. This means you can't buy your bond too early or file it too late. The bond must also be submitted in duplicate — original to the SOS, duplicate retained by you.
Do Arizona RON notaries need a separate bond?
No. The same $5,000 bond covers remote online notarization (RON). To perform RON, you must already be an active Arizona notary, then apply for RON credentials through the SOS. You'll need to contract with an approved technology vendor and identify the platform in your application. RON rules were finalized December 2023.
What are Arizona's disqualification rules for notaries?
Per ARS §41-330, the SOS may deny a commission for: felony conviction (unless civil rights restored AND no reasonable relationship to notary duties), conviction involving fraud/dishonesty/deceit, fraudulent application statements, or adverse findings in legal proceedings. Even with civil rights restoration, the SOS retains discretion if the felony relates to notary functions.
How much can Arizona notaries charge per act?
Per AAC R2-12-1102, the maximum fee is $10 per notarial act for all act types including electronic and remote. Travel fees are allowed up to $0.625 per mile (62.5 cents). There is no minimum fee — you may notarize for free.
How much is a notary bond in Arizona?
The $5,000 Arizona notary bond costs approximately $25-40 for the full 4-year commission term. This is a one-time premium, not annual. No credit check is required for most applicants, and you pay nothing until your bond is issued. The bond must be submitted in duplicate per ARS §41-315 — original to the Secretary of State, copy retained by you. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
Where can I get a notary bond in Arizona?
Purchase your $5,000 bond online through a licensed surety provider like BuySuretyBonds.com for instant approval. Your bond must be from a surety authorized in Arizona and filed with the Secretary of State within the plus-minus-60-day window per ARS §41-315. We deliver your bond ready for SOS filing so you can focus on passing the mandatory Prometric exam (80% score, $46.75).
Have questions about surety bonds generally? Read what is a surety bond, compare bonds vs. insurance, or learn the difference between a bond and a cash deposit. Browse the surety bond learning center for in-depth guides.
Official Arizona Sources
Explore more: all state notary bonds • notary bond costs by state • notary bond requirements by state • surety bond glossary • types of surety bonds • how to get a surety bond • 2025-2026 state bond law changes • surety bond requirements by state • notary bond calculator • surety bond cost guide
AZ SOS — New Notary
Application, exam, bond filing
ARS §41-315 (Bond)
$5,000 bond, ±60-day timing rule
2025 Notary Manual (PDF)
Exam study guide — April 2025 edition
Fee Schedule (AAC R2-12-1102)
$10/act max, $0.625/mile travel
RON/eNotary Rules
Remote notarization application + rules
ARS §41-330 (Disqualification)
Grounds for denial/revocation
Other Arizona Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Arizona
Passed the Exam? Get Your Bond Instantly
$5,000 Arizona notary bond • File within ±60 days • No credit check