HB 2008 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

notary public; requirements

HB 2008 updates Arizona's notary and property recording rules. It requires two valid ID forms for recording deeds, quitclaim deeds, or deeds of trust (affecting homeowners and real estate transactions), unless submitted by specific professionals like title agents, escrow officers, or Arizona bar members. The bill also clarifies that notarizations from other states, federally recognized tribes, or under federal authority have the same legal effect as Arizona notarizations. Additionally, it establishes new rules for remote notarization, requiring audiovisual recordings and specific certificate wording when using communication technology. These changes aim to standardize identification and notarization processes across different jurisdictions and methods.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Jan 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 18, 2024 Last action Feb 25, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 8 edits · Feb 6, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Arizona's notary public laws to modernize identification requirements for recording real estate documents, expand remote notarization options, and strengthen fingerprint clearance card requirements for notary applicants. The changes aim to improve security and accessibility while maintaining oversight of notarial acts.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of notary public regulations to include new remote notarization procedures, updated identification requirements for real estate recordings, and additional fingerprint clearance card mandates for notary applicants.

REQUIREMENT

Changed identification requirements for recording deeds from two valid forms to one government-issued ID plus one form under section 16-579, with exceptions for escrow officers, title agents, banks, attorneys, federal agencies, trusted submitters, and government entities.

Added requirement for notaries to retain copies of individual identification for at least 24 months when recording real estate documents.

Updated notary official stamp requirements to include specific information for remote or electronic notarizations.

Added new sections requiring notary applicants to obtain valid fingerprint clearance cards before receiving commissions, with suspension provisions for invalid cards.

Added new sections establishing cease and desist authority for unlicensed notary activity and attorney general referral for criminal investigations.

SCOPE

Added comprehensive remote notarization provisions allowing notaries to perform acts using communication technology with specific identity verification and recording requirements.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date for fingerprint clearance card requirements from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions in related statutes to include new notary-related sections and clarify electronic filing requirements.

Floor votes · House Feb 6, 2025

How they voted

55–3

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 60

Feb 6, 2025

D Democratic27

25 Yea 2

92% Yea

R Republican33

30 Yea 3 Nay

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors