Assigned to GOV FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2344
notaries; businesses; prohibition
Purpose
Stipulates that, if a business does not provide the option to notarize documents without
charge or cost, then individuals seeking notarization may utilize any authorized notarial officer.
Background
A notarial act or notarization is any act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or
electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform as prescribed by statute including: 1) taking
an acknowledgement; 2) administering an oath or affirmation; 3) taking a verification on oath or
affirmation; 4) witnessing or attesting a signature; 5) certifying or attesting a copy; and 6) noting
a protest of a negotiable instrument. The Secretary of State (SOS) administers the notary
application process, and commissions a notary public in Arizona. The SOS must establish fees that
a notary public may charge for notarial services. A notary public may also charge a fee up to the
authorized amount for mileage expenses and per diem subsistence for state employees as
prescribed. Statute authorizes a judge, clerk or deputy clerk of court or an individual who is
licensed to practice law in Arizona to perform notarial acts (A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 2).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Stipulates that, if a business does not provide the option to notarize documents at a physical
location without charge or cost, then individuals seeking notarization may utilize the services
of any notarial officer who is authorized to perform the notarial act.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 2/19/25 DPA 4-3-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/26/25 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 10, 2025
AN/DL/slp