What Can My Arizona Notary Do?

UNDER ARIZONA LAW

Notaries play a critical role in protecting the integrity of your important documents by verifying identities, witnessing signatures, and administering oaths.

Below is a guide to what an Arizona Notary Public CAN and CANNOT do.

✓ WHAT MY NOTARY CAN DO

VERIFY IDENTITY

I verify the identity of signers using satisfactory evidence of identification, as required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-255.

WITNESS SIGNATURES

I witness a signature or acknowledge that the signer personally appeared before me and acknowledged signing the document.

ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS

I administer oaths and affirmations as required for jurats and other sworn statements.

PERFORM AUTHORIZED NOTARIAL ACTS

Arizona law authorizes notaries to perform the following notarial acts:

• Acknowledgments

• Jurats

• Oaths and Affirmations

• Copy Certifications

COMPLETE A NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE & JOURNAL

I complete the notarial certificate on your document and maintain a journal entry as required by Arizona law.

✕ WHAT MY NOTARY CANNOT DO

I CANNOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE

I cannot give you legal advice or tell you what you should do. If you have legal questions, please consult an attorney.

I CANNOT PREPARE LEGAL DOCUMENTS

I cannot draft, type, or prepare your legal documents or choose the right document for your situation.

I CANNOT TELL YOU WHETHER YOUR DOCUMENT IS CORRECT

I can only verify your identity, witness your signature, and perform the notarial act. I do not review the content of your document.

I CANNOT ACT AS A WITNESS UNLESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Unless otherwise allowed by Arizona law, I cannot be a witness to your signature.

I CANNOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE

I cannot guarantee that your document will be accepted by any government agency, court, or other organization.

THE NOTARY'S ROLE

My role is to serve as an impartial official witness, deter fraud, and help ensure the authenticity of important documents.