There are many situations in which you might need the services of a Notary Public. If you are selling your car, the Certificate of Title must be notarized. If you are getting a mortgage, or refinancing, you'll need a Notary Public when executing those documents. Living trusts, powers of attorney--at one time or another, you'll probably need to find a Notary Public.
What is a Notary Public? As defined by Arizona Revised Statutes, an Arizona Notary Public is a public officer commissioned by the Secretary of State to perform notarial acts. A Notary is an impartial witness.
Where Can I find a Notary Public in Arizona? The Secretary of State maintains a database of all commissioned Notaries. You can search for a Notary Public in Arizona online. If you don't have someone in mind, enter a zip code to find one near you.
Often, there will be a Notary Public at the place where you are conducting your business, such as title companies, mortgage companies, financial institutions, law offices, or insurance companies. You may also find a Notary Public at mail and postal businesses, like PostNet or UPS. Finally, there are individuals who are commissioned Notaries.
Is There a Fee For Using a Notary Public? There may very well be, especially if the Notary Public is an individual, or if the business where you are getting your document notarized is not really a party to the transaction. If you go to your bank or credit union, there may also be fees. Make sure to ask if the fee can be waived if you have a good account relationship.
Tip: Call first to make sure the Notary Public is available. Even at a law firm or a title company, there may be only 1 or 2 people that are Notaries, and you'll want to make sure they will be there when you need them. Same for postal/mail businesses, and banks. A bank may require you to be a customer to provide Notary services. If the Notary you've chosen is in individual, you'll notice that at the Secretary of State web site there are no phone numbers. Try the phone book.
