Arizona Notary Acknowledgment Form

An Arizona notary acknowledgment form is a document that validates the authenticity of signatures on various legal papers within the state. This form is typically used by a notary public to certify that the signer willingly and personally appeared before them, affirming their identity and intent to sign the document.

The document includes fields for the signer’s name, date, and a statement confirming the voluntary act of signing. The notary public verifies the signer’s identity and affixes their signature, seal, title, and commission expiration date. Notaries aren’t required to be present during the signature process, allowing for pre-signed documents, yet the acknowledgment must occur in front of the notary.

Legal Considerations

Form of Acknowledgment: According to § 41-265, the acknowledgment must include state and county details, date, individual(s) name, the signature of the notarial officer with stamp and title, and commission expiration date.

Notary Term of Commission: Four years (§ 41-269(E)).

Notary Handbook: The Notary Public Reference Manual provides notaries in the state with essential information and guidelines regarding their duties, responsibilities, and the proper execution of notarial acts.

Is Online Notarization Legal in Arizona?

Yes, Senate Bill 1115, passed on June 30, 2022, authorized notarial officers to remotely acknowledge signatures through communication technology. Their conduct must align with the established guidelines in Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-263 and Admin. Code § R2-12-1306.

Moreover, electronic journals must document online notarizations, with each entry required to contain the following information under Admin. Code § R2-12-1309(A):

• the date and time of the notarial act
• a description of the document
• the signers’ full names and addresses
• proof of identity (such as personal knowledge statement, ID verification process description, or witness identity information)
  the notary public’s fee (if applicable).

Fees for online notarization cannot exceed $10 per notarial act.

How to Notarize

Step 1 – Find a Notary

The business an individual is dealing with typically has a notary to collaborate with. If not, one can find a notary public at various locations, including banks and credit unions (Chase Bank, for instance), UPS Stores, or private notary services.

The notary fees range from “No Charge” to a maximum of $10 per notarial act as outlined by Admin. Code § 2-12-1102.

Step 2 – Bring the Document

The document intended for notarization should be filled out and brought before the notary public. Unless the document necessitates an acknowledgment, leave the signature sections blank and complete them only in the presence of the notary.

Step 3 – Verify ID

The notary will confirm the identities of all involved parties, ensuring each signing individual personally appears before them. Identity verification may be established through the notary’s personal recognition of the signers.

Step 4 – Sign the Form

Upon confirming identities, signatures can be added to the document. In instances where signatures are pre-existing, each signer must declare that they signed voluntarily.

Step 5 – Collect the Certificate

The notary public will finalize the relevant notarial certificate, affirming the document’s notarization. To ensure the document’s legal validity, the notary must sign and affix their seal to the certificate.

How to Verify a Notary

1. Use the Notary Public Search to access the Secretary of State’s website.
2. Add the last name (or a part of it) along with the ZIP code or county. For more precise results, additional details such as the first name, notary ID, commission expiration, or business name can be included. Click on the “Search” button to retrieve the results.
3. The displayed results will be arranged alphabetically and include each notary public’s identification number, full name, status, business name, city, ZIP code, and expiration date.
4. Upon choosing a notary public from the list and clicking “View,” additional information regarding the officer will be presented, featuring their address, business hours, phone number, and commission details for further insight.

How to Write (for Notary)

1. Download a notary acknowledgment form in PDF or Word.
2. Complete the form by entering essential details such as the county, date, name, signature, title/rank, and, if applicable, the serial number.
3. Include your notary seal, ensuring it is visible.

Create your Arizona Notary Acknowledgment in Minutes!