We Make Renewing Your Commission Easy

Renewal Application Package

Notaries.com takes the stress out of getting recommissioned. Our package includes:

  • Your commission certificate
  • $5,000 surety bond
  • Self-inking stamp
  • Record-keeping journal
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How to Renew Your Commission

Arizona’s renewal process is very similar to the one you followed for your initial application. If your current commission expires in 60 days or less and you still meet all of the prerequisite requirements, you can get started! Here's a step-by-step guide.

1) Purchase Your Required Bond and Other Supplies

Just like before, you’ll need to purchase a $5,000 surety bond for the entire duration of your new commission.

Remember, the SOS set the bond requirement for all notaries to protect clients from potential financial harm caused by a notarization mistake.

Since it's a state requirement, we include the bond in our all-in-one supplies package! Once you get your bond, you once again need to get it notarized.

We also offer other supplies, like stamp ink, if you've run low over the years!

2) Pass a Notary Public Exam

As of July 1, 2025, all applicants, including existing notaries who need to update their commission, must pass a competency examination.

The SOS stated that they added the exam requirement to “help protect the public from fraud and reinforce the integrity of our notarial system.”

The multiple-choice exam is open-book and requires no prerequisite training. It must be taken at an in-person testing site or from home using a live proctoring service.

Exam scores are valid for 90 days. We recommend completing the exam as soon as you can before your expiration date for two reasons.

First, waiting too long could make it impossible to renew without letting your commission expire. If you score less than 80% and fail the exam, you need to wait 30 days before you can take it again.

If, for example, you take your exam just one month before your commission expiration date and fail, you cannot retake the exam and submit your renewal in time.

Second, you should give yourself time to study using the latest version of the notary reference manual. Even if you’re an experienced notary, it can’t hurt to brush up on the basics to make sure you pass.

Check out this article to learn more about the exam. It explains the registration process, details what topics are covered, and also provides some study tips.

3) Complete the Notary Renewal Application

After getting your bond, you can complete the renewal application on the Arizona Secretary of State's (SOS) website.

It's important to purchase your bond before applying because the SOS needs the bond provider to countersign it in two places.

When filling out the application, remember these tips:

  • Your printed name and signature on the application must match what's on the bond.
  • Have your Prometric Candidate ID Number ready to prove that you passed the exam.
  • Fill out the bond completely with no blanks and have it notarized properly.
  • Check that your physical home address matches the county of residence on your bond.
  • If you changed your name during the previous commission period, you must provide the exact names before and after the change and include legal documentation to show why your name has changed (such as a marriage license or divorce decree).

4) Submit Your Application to the State

To minimize the chances of delays or rejection, make sure you include:

  • The original copy of your signed application
  • The original signed and notarized bond
  • A form of payment for the $43 fee

You can submit these items online or mail them to:

Secretary of State
Attn: Notary Dept
1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

5) Receive Your New Supplies

In Arizona, notary stamps must include commission expiration dates, so getting a new stamp is an essential part of the renewal process.

Along with your bond, our online package includes a new seal and stamp that meets or exceeds state specifications!

Your new stamp will have:

  • Your name as it appears on the application and bond
  • The name of the county in which you are commissioned
  • Your commission's expiration date

Because the expiration date is required, we cannot make your notary stamp until you've received your commission certificate with your new expiration date. After getting your commission, make sure your name, county of residence, and commission dates are correct.

Forward an emailed copy or scan and email a copy of your commission to info@notaries.com, and we'll promptly ship your new stamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does a notary commission expire?

Notary commissions in AZ are valid for four years.

How much does renewing cost?

If you choose Notaries.com, your costs include:

  • $109 for the complete supplies package (includes bond, a new stamp, and a record-keeping journal)
  • $43 application and bond filing fee paid to the SOS

How do I find out when my commission expires?

You can find your current notary commission expiration date on your stamp or by searching your name on the SOS database.

Can I renew my commission after it expires?

Yes, but you cannot act as a notary until your commission is renewed.

Working with an expired notary license can lead to serious consequences, including fines, legal penalties, and possible criminal charges for unauthorized practice. It may also invalidate any documents you notarize, exposing you to lawsuits and damaging your professional reputation.

What do renewing notaries need to know about errors and omissions insurance?

The SOS does not require errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, but it's recommended to protect you from potential lawsuits. The $5,000 surety bond protects clients — not the notary — from any financial harm from notary mistakes.

Our E&O insurance policies come in four-year terms, which align with the length of your notary commission. This means you can purchase coverage that lasts the entire commission period, giving you continuous protection without needing to renew annually.

When your commission expires and you renew it, you should also renew your E&O insurance to maintain uninterrupted protection.

How do I resign or decline to renew my notary commission?

Letting your commission expire means you will no longer be authorized to perform notarizations. You are free to apply at any time for a new notary commission.

According to Arizona's notary manual, a notary public who chooses to allow a commission to expire shall deliver their stamp, notarial journal, and records to the SOS within three months.

The items should be sent with a signed cover letter that includes the notary's name, commission number, and the last four digits of the notary's Social Security number.