Arizona (AZ)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Arizona notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Arizona notary details against the official state database.
Visit Arizona Official Notary Database
How to Research a Arizona Notary
1. Go to https://apps.azsos.gov/apps/notary/search/default.aspx
2. Enter the notary's last name (required) and optionally first name, county, or zip code.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
Arizona SOS Notary Section: (602) 542-4285
2. Enter the notary's last name (required) and optionally first name, county, or zip code.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
Arizona SOS Notary Section: (602) 542-4285
How to Verify a Arizona Notary's Signature
Arizona notaries file their signature and oath of office with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where they reside.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county listed on the notary's commission.
2. Request to inspect the notary's oath of office and signature specimen on file.
3. Arizona notaries are required to maintain a journal of notarial acts (A.R.S. 41-328) - the notary may be asked to produce the journal entry for the document in question.
Arizona SOS Notary Section: (602) 542-4285
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county listed on the notary's commission.
2. Request to inspect the notary's oath of office and signature specimen on file.
3. Arizona notaries are required to maintain a journal of notarial acts (A.R.S. 41-328) - the notary may be asked to produce the journal entry for the document in question.
Arizona SOS Notary Section: (602) 542-4285
Verifying Older Arizona Documents
The Arizona SOS notary search may retain records of expired commissions.
1. Search the AZ SOS notary database - expired commission data may still appear in search results.
2. If not found online, contact the Arizona Secretary of State, Notary Section at (602) 542-4285 for archived records.
3. The Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the notary resided may also have historical oath and signature records.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the AZ SOS notary database - expired commission data may still appear in search results.
2. If not found online, contact the Arizona Secretary of State, Notary Section at (602) 542-4285 for archived records.
3. The Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the notary resided may also have historical oath and signature records.
Commission term: 4 years.
Arizona Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Arizona requires an ink stamp seal on all notarized documents. An embossed (raised) seal alone is not acceptable.
Stamp requirements (A.R.S. 41-312):
- Type: Must be an ink stamp (rubber stamp)
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public", "State of Arizona", county of commission, commission expiration date
- The seal must be photographically reproducible
- Arizona notaries are commissioned by county (not statewide) and may only notarize within their county of commission unless an exception applies
- Commission term: 4 years
Stamp requirements (A.R.S. 41-312):
- Type: Must be an ink stamp (rubber stamp)
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public", "State of Arizona", county of commission, commission expiration date
- The seal must be photographically reproducible
- Arizona notaries are commissioned by county (not statewide) and may only notarize within their county of commission unless an exception applies
- Commission term: 4 years
Contacting a Arizona Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Arizona — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Arizona law requires notaries public to keep, maintain, and protect as a public record a journal of all official acts performed (ARS § 41-313, § 41-319).
Right to inspect:
- The notary's journal is a public record that may be viewed by or copied for any member of the public.
- The request must be in writing and must detail the month and year of the notarial act, the name of the person whose signature was notarized, and the type of document or transaction (ARS § 41-319).
- Arizona law does not specify a response timeline, but notaries are required to provide access upon presentation of a proper written request.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, type of document, identification method used, description of identification credential (such as driver's license number, issuing agency, expiration date)
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
- Fee charged, if any
- Thumbprint: Arizona law requires the notary's legible thumbprint for most notarizations. For quitclaim deeds and warranty deeds, the signer's thumbprint is also required and becomes part of the journal.
Key considerations:
- Journal ownership depends on content: journals containing only public records are the property of the notary; journals containing non-public records are the property of the employer and remain with the employer if the notary leaves employment.
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Contact: AZ Secretary of State Notary Division — (602) 542-6187 or (800) 458-5842 — azsos.gov/business/notary
Relevant statutes: ARS §§ 41-313, 41-319
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Arizona law requires notaries public to keep, maintain, and protect as a public record a journal of all official acts performed (ARS § 41-313, § 41-319).
Right to inspect:
- The notary's journal is a public record that may be viewed by or copied for any member of the public.
- The request must be in writing and must detail the month and year of the notarial act, the name of the person whose signature was notarized, and the type of document or transaction (ARS § 41-319).
- Arizona law does not specify a response timeline, but notaries are required to provide access upon presentation of a proper written request.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, type of document, identification method used, description of identification credential (such as driver's license number, issuing agency, expiration date)
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
- Fee charged, if any
- Thumbprint: Arizona law requires the notary's legible thumbprint for most notarizations. For quitclaim deeds and warranty deeds, the signer's thumbprint is also required and becomes part of the journal.
Key considerations:
- Journal ownership depends on content: journals containing only public records are the property of the notary; journals containing non-public records are the property of the employer and remain with the employer if the notary leaves employment.
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Contact: AZ Secretary of State Notary Division — (602) 542-6187 or (800) 458-5842 — azsos.gov/business/notary
Relevant statutes: ARS §§ 41-313, 41-319
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.