Where must the original notary bond and notary application be filed?

• A. With the county clerk
• B. With the city clerk
• C. With the Governor's office
• D. With the Arizona Secretary of State's office

Answer: (D)

In Arizona, notaries public are state officers appointed by the Secretary of State, so the original bond and the notary application must be filed with that office. The Secretary of State handles the commissioning, maintains the official roster of notaries, and keeps the bond as part of the public record. Filing these documents with the county clerk, city clerk, or Governor’s office would be inappropriate because those offices handle local government matters or are not responsible for state-level notary commissions. Once filed, you’d receive a commission certificate from the Secretary of State and can begin performing notarial acts.