The notary expiration period: The bond expiration date must be how long after the effective date?

• A. One day less than four years after the effective date
• B. Exactly four years after the effective date
• C. One year after the effective date
• D. Six years after the effective date

Answer: (A)

A notary bond in Arizona runs for the four-year term of the notary’s commission, but the expiration date is set to occur one day before that four-year anniversary from the effective date. This guarantees uninterrupted bond coverage for the entire term and lines up the end of the old term with the start of the next one so a new bond can take effect when the term renews.

For example, if the commission becomes effective on May 5, 2022, the bond would expire on May 4, 2026. This rule ensures there’s no gap in coverage on the renewal date and that the bond in force corresponds to the four-year period of the notary’s authority.