What is the purpose of a surety bond?

• A. It protects the notary's own assets
• B. It guarantees the notary will not make errors
• C. It insures the notary's car
• D. It protects the public for whom the notary performs a notarization

Answer: (D)

The purpose of a surety bond is to protect the public who uses a notary’s services. If a notary’s misconduct or mistakes during a notarization cause a financial loss, the bond provides a remedy to those harmed. The notary obtains the bond from a surety company; when a valid claim is made due to improper acts or failure to follow notary laws, the bond pays the claimant up to the bond amount. The notary then owes reimbursement to the surety for what the bond paid.

This bond is not insurance for the notary’s personal assets, it does not guarantee flawless performance, and it does not cover unrelated items like a vehicle. In Arizona, the bond is required to ensure the public is protected from monetary harm arising from notarial acts.