AZ Notary Journal and Seal Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Is an Arizona notary legally required to maintain a journal of notarial acts?
- No, journals are optional in Arizona
- Yes, for all notarial acts (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only for real estate documents
- Only for notarizations over $10,000
Correct answer: Yes, for all notarial acts
Arizona law requires notaries to maintain a journal recording all notarial acts performed. The journal serves as the notary's official record and provides legal protection.
Question 2: What information must be recorded in an Arizona notary's journal for each act?
- Only the signer's name and date
- Date, type of act, signer's name, ID type, and document type (Correct answer)
- Just the document title and notary fee
- The signer's Social Security number and address
Correct answer: Date, type of act, signer's name, ID type, and document type
Arizona requires journal entries to include the date, type of notarial act, signer's name, type of identification used, and a description of the document. This comprehensive record provides protection for all parties.
Question 3: What are the physical requirements for an Arizona notary seal?
- Any rubber stamp is acceptable
- Must include notary name, commission number, commission expiration, and 'Notary Public' designation (Correct answer)
- Only a raised embosser is allowed
- Must be gold-colored with the state seal
Correct answer: Must include notary name, commission number, commission expiration, and 'Notary Public' designation
Arizona notary seals must contain the notary's name, commission number, commission expiration date, and the words 'Notary Public - State of Arizona.' Both rubber stamp and embosser formats are accepted.
Question 4: When an Arizona notary's commission expires, what must they do with their seal and journal?
- Destroy the seal immediately and keep the journal (Correct answer)
- Destroy both the seal and journal
- Return both to the Secretary of State
- Keep the seal and destroy the journal
Correct answer: Destroy the seal immediately and keep the journal
When a commission expires, the notary must destroy or deface the seal to prevent unauthorized use, but must retain the journal for the required period as it remains an official record.
Question 5: Can an Arizona notary use an electronic seal for notarizations?
- No, only physical seals are allowed
- Yes, for electronic notarizations (Correct answer)
- Only with special permission from the court
- Only for documents under 5 pages
Correct answer: Yes, for electronic notarizations
Arizona permits electronic notarization, and notaries performing electronic notarizations may use an electronic seal that meets the state's technical requirements.
Question 6: Who may access an Arizona notary's journal?
- Only the notary themselves
- The notary, law enforcement, and the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- Anyone who pays a search fee
- Only attorneys and judges
Correct answer: The notary, law enforcement, and the Secretary of State
An Arizona notary's journal may be inspected by the notary, law enforcement officials conducting investigations, and the Secretary of State's office. It is not a public record available to anyone.
AZ Notary Journal and Seal Requirements 2
Is an Arizona notary legally required to maintain a journal of notarial acts?