Arizona Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: How should an Arizona notary handle a journal entry when the signer refuses to sign the journal?

Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
Have a witness sign the journal on the signer's behalf
Proceed but note in the journal that the signer declined to sign
Skip the journal entry entirely

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization

If a signer refuses to sign the notary's journal, the notary should refuse to perform the notarization. The journal signature is part of the record-keeping process and helps prevent fraud.

Question 2: A jurat certificate typically begins with what phrase?

Witnessed by me
Acknowledged before me
Subscribed and sworn to before me (Correct answer)
Certified by me

Correct answer: Subscribed and sworn to before me

The standard jurat certificate begins with 'Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me,' indicating that the signer both signed ('subscribed') and swore/affirmed in the notary's presence.

Question 3: A notary's commission expires while a multi-day signing project is underway. Which statement is true?

The Secretary of State grants an automatic 90-day grace period
The notary may finish acts started before expiration
Any notarial act performed after the expiration date is invalid (Correct answer)
Acts performed after expiration are valid if completed within 30 days

Correct answer: Any notarial act performed after the expiration date is invalid

A notary's authority ends on the commission expiration date; any act performed after that date has no legal effect.

Question 4: A signer asks an Arizona notary to certify a true copy of a five-page private document. What is the maximum fee the notary may charge for this service?

$10 total for the certified copy
$10 per page, up to $50 maximum
$50 — $10 per page (Correct answer)
$25 total regardless of pages

Correct answer: $50 — $10 per page

Arizona's fee schedule permits up to $10 per page for certified copies, so a five-page document allows a maximum of $50.

Question 5: Which ethical principle requires an Arizona notary to remain neutral and not advocate for any party to a transaction?

Confidentiality
Impartiality (Correct answer)
Competence
Diligence

Correct answer: Impartiality

Impartiality means the notary must act as an unbiased witness and must not benefit from or favor any party in the notarized transaction.

Question 6: An Arizona notary stamps a document with an expired notarial seal. This act is best described as:

A prohibited act that could result in commission revocation (Correct answer)
Permissible if the commission has been renewed
Only a civil matter with no administrative consequences
Acceptable if the expiration was within the prior 30 days

Correct answer: A prohibited act that could result in commission revocation

Using an expired seal constitutes a prohibited notarial act under Arizona law and can result in administrative penalties including revocation of the notary commission.

Question 7: What is the legal consequence of making a false statement in an Arizona document notarized with a jurat (sworn statement)?

The notary who administered the oath is criminally liable, not the signer
The document is automatically void but the signer faces no personal liability
There is no specific legal consequence beyond potential contract breach
The false statement may constitute perjury or making a false sworn statement — a criminal offense under Arizona law (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The false statement may constitute perjury or making a false sworn statement — a criminal offense under Arizona law

Making a false statement in a jurat-notarized document (a sworn or affirmed statement) can constitute perjury or making a false sworn statement under Arizona criminal law, since the signer swore under oath to the truth of the contents.

Question 8: A notary's commission expires on a Sunday. When is the last day they may legally perform notarial acts under that commission?

The Friday before the expiration Sunday
The expiration Sunday itself through midnight (Correct answer)
The following Monday since Sunday is not a business day
The Saturday before the expiration Sunday

Correct answer: The expiration Sunday itself through midnight

A notary commission is valid through the end of the expiration date, including when that date falls on a Sunday or holiday.

Question 9: A notary discovers after the fact that they notarized a document containing a forged signature that appeared genuine at the time. What is the notary's likely liability?

No liability if they followed proper procedures and acted in good faith (Correct answer)
Full liability because notaries guarantee signature authenticity
Automatic revocation of commission regardless of good faith
Liability only if they had a financial interest in the transaction

Correct answer: No liability if they followed proper procedures and acted in good faith

A notary who follows proper identification procedures and acts in good faith is generally not liable for forgeries that were not reasonably detectable.

Question 10: When performing a jurat in Arizona, what must the signer do that is NOT required for an acknowledgment?

Appear personally before the notary
Sign in the notary's presence (Correct answer)
Present a government-issued ID
Pay a notarial fee

Correct answer: Sign in the notary's presence

A jurat requires the signer to sign the document in the notary's physical presence, whereas an acknowledgment only requires the signer to acknowledge their signature.

Question 11: Which of the following actions by a notary constitutes the unauthorized practice of law?

Charging the maximum fee of $10 per notarial act
Keeping a detailed journal of all notarial acts
Refusing to notarize a document when the signer cannot be properly identified
Advising a signer on which type of notarial certificate to use (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Advising a signer on which type of notarial certificate to use

Notaries are ministerial officials and are strictly prohibited from practicing law unless they are also a licensed attorney. Choosing the correct notarial certificate (e.g., acknowledgment vs. jurat) for the signer involves giving legal advice, which is a prohibited act. The signer or the document's originator must make that determination.

Question 12: Can an Arizona notary notarize a document for their spouse?

Only for non-financial documents
No, spousal notarizations are always prohibited
It depends on whether the notary has a financial interest in the document (Correct answer)
Yes, spouses are always permitted

Correct answer: It depends on whether the notary has a financial interest in the document

Arizona does not categorically prohibit spousal notarizations, but the notary cannot proceed if they have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the document. Many best practice guides recommend avoiding spousal notarizations entirely.

Question 13: What type of journal is an Arizona notary required to maintain?

An electronic-only digital journal stored in a cloud database
Either a loose-leaf binder or a digital spreadsheet at the notary's preference
A tangible, bound journal with sequentially numbered pages (Correct answer)
No journal is required for in-person notarizations, only for remote ones

Correct answer: A tangible, bound journal with sequentially numbered pages

Arizona requires a tangible, permanently bound journal with numbered pages to prevent removal or insertion of pages.

Question 14: An Arizona notary resigns their commission after moving to another state. What is the notary required to do with their journal and seal?

Shred the journal and destroy the seal immediately.
Destroy the seal and keep the journal for their personal records.
Give the journal and seal to their former employer.
Deliver the journal, seal, and all other records to the Secretary of State within three months. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Deliver the journal, seal, and all other records to the Secretary of State within three months.

A.R.S. § 41-317(A) requires a notary who resigns their commission to deliver their journal, seal, and all other notarial records to the Secretary of State's office within three months of the resignation. Failure to do so can result in significant fines.

Question 15: Under Arizona law, a document notarized via RON has what legal standing compared to a traditional in-person notarization?

Conditional validity pending a 30-day challenge period
The same legal effect as a traditional in-person notarization (Correct answer)
Reduced legal standing and requires court confirmation for real property
Validity only within Arizona and not in other states

Correct answer: The same legal effect as a traditional in-person notarization

Arizona statute expressly provides that a notarial act performed by RON has the same legal effect as a conventional in-person notarial act.

Question 16: An Arizona notary who is a public employee performs notarizations during work hours for members of the public. Under A.R.S. § 41-313, what fee restriction typically applies?

They may charge up to $5 per act instead of $10
Their employer may prohibit them from charging fees while on public duty (Correct answer)
They may charge the standard maximum fees at their discretion
They must donate all fees to the state treasury

Correct answer: Their employer may prohibit them from charging fees while on public duty

Government employers may require notary-employees to perform notarizations as part of their duties without collecting personal fees.

Question 17: A notary charges $12 for a jurat in Arizona, claiming the extra $2 covers the cost of the notary seal impression. Is this permissible?

No, the $10 maximum for a jurat is all-inclusive and may not be supplemented (Correct answer)
Yes, if the notary posts the fee schedule in their office
No, but the notary may separately charge up to $2 for supplies
Yes, consumable supplies are exempt from the fee cap

Correct answer: No, the $10 maximum for a jurat is all-inclusive and may not be supplemented

Arizona's statutory maximum of $10 per jurat is the total allowable charge; notaries cannot add surcharges for supplies or overhead.

Question 18: Which wording correctly reflects the oath or affirmation an Arizona notary administers during a jurat?

'I acknowledge that I have signed this document of my own free will.'
'I certify that the attached document is authentic and legally binding.'
'Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?' (Correct answer)
'Do you confirm that your identity has been verified by this notary?'

Correct answer: 'Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?'

The notary must ask the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true, which is the core purpose of a jurat.

Question 19: An Arizona notary travels to another state and is asked to perform an acknowledgment there. Can they do this?

No, Arizona notary authority is limited to within Arizona (Correct answer)
Yes, their commission works nationally
Only with reciprocity agreements
Yes, but only in neighboring states

Correct answer: No, Arizona notary authority is limited to within Arizona

A notary public's authority is limited to the state that issued their commission. An Arizona notary cannot perform notarial acts in another state.

Question 20: An Arizona notary is asked to swear in a witness at a real estate closing. The witness speaks limited English. What should the notary do?

Administer the oath and have another party translate informally
Refuse to administer the oath unless a qualified interpreter is present (Correct answer)
Administer the oath in English and proceed, noting the language barrier in the journal
Ask the closing attorney to administer the oath instead

Correct answer: Refuse to administer the oath unless a qualified interpreter is present

The signer must understand the oath; if there is a language barrier, a qualified interpreter should be used to ensure informed consent.

Question 21: 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)
Only for notarizations over $10,000
Yes, but only for real estate documents

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 22: How must an Arizona notary's paper journal be formatted?

As a permanent, bound register with sequentially numbered pages (Correct answer)
In any format, as long as the entries are in chronological order
In a loose-leaf binder with numbered tabs for each month
As a collection of individual certificates stored in a file folder

Correct answer: As a permanent, bound register with sequentially numbered pages

According to Arizona law, a paper-based notary journal must be a permanent, bound register with sequentially numbered pages. This format helps ensure the integrity of the journal and prevents pages from being removed or reordered without detection. Loose-leaf binders are not permitted for paper journals.

Question 23: A notary's employer instructs the notary to notarize a document without the signer being personally present. The notary should:

Comply only if the signer is a known customer of the business
Comply because employers have authority over notary acts
Comply if the document is a business record rather than a legal instrument
Refuse, as personal appearance is required regardless of employer instructions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse, as personal appearance is required regardless of employer instructions

An employer cannot override Arizona's legal requirement that signers appear personally before the notary at the time of notarization.

Question 24: What are the physical requirements for an Arizona notary seal?

Must be gold-colored with the state seal
Any rubber stamp is acceptable
Only a raised embosser is allowed
Must include notary name, commission number, commission expiration, and 'Notary Public' designation (Correct answer)

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 25: Before performing remote online notarizations (RON) in Arizona, a notary must first:

Complete a 40-hour electronic notarization training course
Post an additional surety bond of at least $25,000
Obtain a separate RON license from the county clerk
Register with the Arizona Secretary of State and receive authorization (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Register with the Arizona Secretary of State and receive authorization

Arizona notaries must register with and receive approval from the Secretary of State before performing any remote online notarizations.

Question 26: An Arizona notary uses their official seal on a personal letter to add credibility to their claims. This action is:

Permissible as long as no fee is charged
Allowed if the notary discloses it is not an official notarial act
Required to authenticate any formal correspondence
An ethical violation and misuse of official authority (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An ethical violation and misuse of official authority

Using the notarial seal outside of an official notarial act misrepresents the nature of the document and constitutes an ethical and potentially illegal misuse of the notary's authority.

Question 27: An Arizona notary is asked by a signer to explain the legal effect of the document they are about to sign. What should the notary do?

Explain the document's legal effect as helpfully as possible to ensure the signer is informed
Explain only the notarial certificate portion and refuse to discuss anything else
Decline to provide legal advice and suggest the signer consult with an attorney if they have questions about the document's legal effect (Correct answer)
Read the document aloud to the signer but add no interpretation

Correct answer: Decline to provide legal advice and suggest the signer consult with an attorney if they have questions about the document's legal effect

Explaining the legal effect of a document constitutes legal advice, which requires a license to practice law in Arizona. An Arizona notary who is not also an attorney must decline to provide legal advice and should direct the signer to an attorney.

Question 28: Under Arizona law, a notary who willfully notarizes a document knowing it is false may face what consequence?

A mandatory 30-day suspension
Referral to the bar association
A $50 administrative fine only
Commission revocation and potential criminal liability (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Commission revocation and potential criminal liability

Willful misconduct can result in commission revocation by the Secretary of State and criminal prosecution under Arizona statutes.

Question 29: Before performing a notarization for a fee, a notary must:

Get approval from the Secretary of State for their fee schedule
Require the signer to pay in cash only
Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent (Correct answer)
Post a sign with their fee schedule in their vehicle

Correct answer: Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent

Transparency is a key principle in charging notarial fees. A notary must inform the signer of the fees for the notarial act before performing it. This ensures the signer is aware of the cost upfront and can agree to it before the service is rendered.

Question 30: What are Arizona notary ethics regarding maintaining impartiality when notarizing documents for friends or acquaintances?

Friends may not serve as credible witnesses to identify signers — only formal witnesses are allowed
A notary may notarize for friends as long as the notary has no direct financial or beneficial interest in the document — the relationship alone is not disqualifying, but care must be taken to maintain professional standards (Correct answer)
Notarizing for friends is permitted only if the notary charges the standard fee
Notarizing for friends is always prohibited as a conflict of interest

Correct answer: A notary may notarize for friends as long as the notary has no direct financial or beneficial interest in the document — the relationship alone is not disqualifying, but care must be taken to maintain professional standards

Arizona law does not prohibit notarizing for friends or acquaintances based solely on the relationship. The disqualifying factor is direct financial or beneficial interest in the document, not personal relationship. However, professional judgment should be exercised.

Question 31: Which of the following would most likely result in the denial of an Arizona notary application?

Working part-time rather than full-time in Arizona
Having a minor traffic violation
Being 19 years old
Having an unrestored felony conviction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Having an unrestored felony conviction

An applicant with a felony conviction whose civil rights have not been restored does not meet Arizona's eligibility requirements and would be denied.

Arizona Notary Public Exam

The Arizona Notary Public exam tests knowledge of notarial duties, laws, and procedures required to become a commissioned notary public in the state of Arizona.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

70%

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