Journal Requirements in Arizona
Arizona's notary law under ARS §41-311 et seq. does not impose a strict journal mandate for all traditional notarizations, but Arizona does require notaries to maintain records under certain circumstances and the Arizona Secretary of State's office publishes specific guidance on what should be recorded. In practice, nearly all Arizona signing agents maintain full journals. For RON, Arizona requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording for each session, with a 5-year retention requirement. Arizona authorized RON in 2020 under HB 2318.
Arizona Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | Arizona Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | azsos.gov |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond required | $5,000 surety bond |
| Exam/training | No exam required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Required — recommended entries; not fully mandatory |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arizona does not have a separate state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Most signing services and title companies operating in Arizona require NNA certification, a background check, and E&O insurance as vendor requirements regardless of state law.
Standard government-issued photo identification is accepted: state driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, and permanent resident card. Always verify current Arizona statutes for state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
Yes, absolutely. A journal provides contemporaneous documentation of every notarial act. In the event of a fraud allegation or dispute, your journal is your primary defense. Professional signing agents in Arizona maintain journals as standard practice regardless of legal mandate.