Mistakes to avoid
Arizona Notary Exam Mistakes to Avoid
These are application errors, not trivia. Each one below is tied to a statute or fee rule checked on 2026-09-29. After you can explain the miss, take a timed 45-question practice exam. The items on this site are practice questions, not official exam forms.
A.R.S. §§ 41-252, 41-253, 41-255, 41-263, 41-266, and 41-269, plus § 41-316, were read on azleg.gov on 2026-09-29. The $10 ceilings were read the same day on the Cornell reprint of R2-12-1102.
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Using an ID the statute does not list
A.R.S. § 41-255(B)(1) lists satisfactory documents: an unexpired U.S. passport, an unexpired state driver license or nonoperating identification license, an unexpired U.S. military ID, another unexpired U.S., state, or tribal government ID that has a signature or a photograph and physical description, and the inmate IDs the section names. A journal note does not turn a different card into one of those documents. Personal knowledge and a credible witness are separate methods in the same section.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-255 — Identification of individual · A.R.S. § 41-255
Finishing a verification the signer did not make
An acknowledgment under § 41-253(A) is not a verification on oath or affirmation under § 41-253(B). For the verification, you must determine that the individual made the verification, that the signature is theirs, and that the record is complete to the best of your knowledge. If they will not make that verification, completing the certificate anyway is not that notarial act. Do not switch the certificate to an acknowledgment just to get the appointment done.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-253 — Requirements for certain notarial acts · A.R.S. § 41-253
Treating a video call as remote notarization
A.R.S. § 41-263 requires the notary to be in Arizona, identity proofing as that section states, a reasonable confirmation that you have the same record, an audiovisual recording, certificate language that communication technology was used, and notice to the Secretary of State before the first remote act. A consumer video app can supply sight and sound. It does not, by itself, supply the rest.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-263 — Notarial act performed for remotely located individual · A.R.S. § 41-263
Adding a charge the fee rule does not authorize
The Cornell reprint of R2-12-1102 allows no charge up to $10 for an acknowledgment or jurat per signature, a copy certification per page, and an oath per act. A.R.S. § 41-316(C) forbids advertising or collecting any other fee for the notarial act. Tell the requestor the fee before you begin. Mileage and per diem under § 41-316(B) are not a second notarial fee.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-316 — Fees · A.R.S. § 41-316
Notarizing when you or your spouse is a party
A.R.S. § 41-252(B) says you may not perform the act on a record to which you or your spouse is a party, or in which either of you has a direct beneficial interest. The act is voidable. Send them to another notary.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-252 — Authority to perform notarial acts · A.R.S. § 41-252
Stamping over a signature
A.R.S. § 41-266(C) says you may not affix the official stamp over your signature or over any other signature on the record.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-266 — Official stamp · A.R.S. § 41-266
Treating a practice pass as a commission
Questions on this site are independent practice items. A.R.S. § 41-269 still requires the oath and the $5,000 surety bond before the Secretary of State issues a commission. Do not stamp a document because Quick 10 went well.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-269 — Commission as notary public; assurance · A.R.S. § 41-269
Related reading
Study material on this site is independently written for exam practice. Fees, passing scores, and procedures can change. Always verify against the Arizona Secretary of State before you apply or notarize.