Remote online notarization
Arizona Remote Online Notary Requirements
You may notarize for someone who is not in the room only if you are in Arizona and you meet A.R.S. § 41-263: prove identity as that section requires, confirm you have the same record, record the session, and say on the certificate that communication technology was used. A video call by itself is not that process. Notify the Secretary of State before the first remote act.
A.R.S. §§ 41-263 and 41-254 were read on azleg.gov on 2026-09-29. The SOS Remote & eNotary page did not load that day, so technology-vendor rules are not restated here. Follow the live SOS instructions before the first remote act.
RON chapter in the Study Guide
Conditions in § 41-263
“Communication technology” means a device or process that lets you and the signer communicate at the same time by sight and sound. Sight and sound are necessary. They are not sufficient without identity proofing, the recording, the certificate language, and the advance SOS notice.
- The notary is located in Arizona. The signer is the remotely located individual.
- Identity is personal knowledge, a credible witness under § 41-255, or at least two different types of identity proofing.
- The notary can reasonably confirm that the record in front of the notary is the record the signer signed or made a statement on.
- The notary, or someone acting for the notary, makes an audiovisual recording.
- The certificate states that communication technology was used. A sufficient short form includes: “This notarial act involved the use of communication technology.”
- If the signer is outside the United States, the record must have the U.S. connection in § 41-263(B)(4), and the notary must not actually know that the foreign state forbids the act.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-263 — Notarial act performed for remotely located individual · A.R.S. § 41-263
Notice, and how long to keep the recording
Before the first remote act, § 41-263(F) requires notice to the Secretary of State that you will perform remote acts, and it requires you to identify the technologies you intend to use. If the SOS has adopted approval standards, the technology and the identity proofing must meet them. The recording is kept for at least five years, unless a rule sets a different period, and except as § 41-254 provides.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-263 — Notarial act performed for remotely located individual · A.R.S. § 41-263
Deeds, powers of attorney, and the thumbprint
A.R.S. § 41-254(C) requires a right-thumbprint in the journal, with the stated alternatives, when the document is a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, other document affecting real property, or a power of attorney. Subsection D(3) skips that thumbprint for a remote act that complies with § 41-263 only when the journal includes the signer’s identification credential number and the audiovisual recording is kept for at least seven years. The ordinary recording floor remains five years when that exception does not apply.
Official source: A.R.S. § 41-254 — Personal appearance required · A.R.S. § 41-254
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.