Arizona Notary Bond

To work as a notary public in the state of Arizona, you need to apply for a commission through the Arizona Secretary of State. All applicants for this position must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States.
• Pass an exam (when required by SOS).
• Be willing to take an oath.
• Have a $5,000 Arizona Notary Bond.

An Arizona Notary Bond is a legal requirement for becoming a notary in AZ. It protects the general public if a notary conducts business unethically or illegally, holding the notary liable for losses due to their actions.

For example, say a notary tampers with documents. In this case, a claim can be made against the notary’s bond, up to the full bond amount ($5,000). If the claim is found valid, the surety company that issued the bond initially pays. However, the notary is then required to pay them back in full.

Every AZ notary bond is a contract between three parties:

1. Principal – the notary public that needs to get bonded.
2. Obligee – the party requiring the notary to get bonded (Arizona Secretary of State).
3. Surety – the company that issues and financially backs the bond (ex. Lance Surety Bonds).

All AZ notary publics need a $5,000 Arizona Notary Bond, per Arizona Revised Statute Title 41 Chapter 2. This includes notaries performing electronic or remote online notarizations. This bond ensures that the individual will comply with the applicable laws, regulations, and ethics while conducting business.

An Arizona Notary Bond costs around $30. While the bond itself must be in the amount of $5,000, you only pay a small flat rate. This amount is known as a bond premium or bond rate.

If you also need Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O), this can be added to your bond for a small fee.

Learn more about Surety Bond Costs or Get a Free Bond Quote.

1. Apply for a Free Bond Quote

You can either apply by calling us at 877-514-5146 or by using our online application (available 24/7).

To fill out our online application, you will need to know:

• Bond Name (Notary Bond)
• Bond Amount ($5,000)
• Your Contact Information

2. Check Your Email

Your bond quote will be sent to your inbox instantly. Please don’t forget to check your Spam Folder. This email also has instructions for how to purchase the bond.

3. Get Your Arizona Notary Bond

Go online to pay your invoice and sign the bond agreement. An electronic copy of your bond will be sent to your inbox once payment clears. Need the original copy? Simply let us know, and we will mail it to you.

Note that this bond must be filed with the Arizona Secretary of State within 30 days of this point. See the next section.

You must file your Notary Bond with the Arizona Secretary of State while sending in your notary application. They no longer accept applications without a bond attached. With your application and bond, you must also send a check to cover the $43 filing fee.

It is important to note that the SOS does not issue surety bonds. A few months ago, a gentleman called us for a Notary Bond. He actually had his initial application denied because he thought the SOS would provide a bond. This delayed his application by almost a month.

• An Arizona surety bond can only be purchased through surety companies, surety agencies, and insurance companies licensed to issue bonds in AZ. Lance Surety Bonds is licensed to issue bonds in all US states.

How long is my Arizona Notary Bond valid?

Your Arizona notary Bond should be valid for your full 4-year commission term. The expiry information will be written directly on your bond. In the event that you have a bond that expires before your commission ends, you simply need to renew before the bond’s expiry date.

What happens if my bond expires?

Suppose your bond expires and you are still commissioned as a notary or your commission is being renewed. In that case, you need to renew your bond. If you fail to do so, you will lose your commission and may be subject to fines and charges if you operate without being bonded.

•  The good news is that renewing a bond is simple and only takes a few minutes. We give all our clients a minimum of 30 days notice before their bond expires, with renewal instructions.

What’s the difference between a Notary Bond & E&O Insurance?

A notary bond protects the general public, while Errors & Omissions Insurance (E&O Insurance) protects you and your notary business. Furthermore, in the state of Arizona, notary publics are legally required to be bonded, but E&O Insurance is elective.

• Notary Surety Bond: Protects the public from financial losses due to a notary’s illegal or unethical actions.
• E&O Insurance Policy: This liability insurance protects the bondholder (notary public) if someone makes a claim against their bond. Without insurance, the notary must repay the bonding company for any claims. With this policy, they are reimbursed for any money they pay for claims.

Read The Difference Between Surety Bonds and Insurance for more information.

Arizona Revised Statutes. (n.d.). In www.azleg.gov. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.azleg.gov/arsdetail/?title=41

Notary. (n.d.). In Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://azsos.gov/business/notary

Surety Bond Insurance. (n.d.). In Lance Surety Bonds. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.lancesuretybonds.com/learn/surety-bonds-insurance

Surety Bond Renewal Process. (n.d.). In Lance Surety Bonds. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.lancesuretybonds.com/learn/surety-bond-renewal-process