Where to Notarize a Power of Attorney for a Minor Child in Arizona

Form GNPPOA10F — Arizona's Power of Attorney Delegating Parental Powers — must be signed by the parent in front of a notary public and one witness. That notarization step is what gives the document legal weight. Without it, most schools and medical offices won't accept it.

Here's where to get it done, depending on your situation.

Banks and Credit Unions

Most banks and credit unions offer free notary services to account holders. Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Desert Financial, and local Arizona credit unions typically have a notary on staff during business hours.

Call ahead — not every branch has a notary available every day, and some require appointments. If the parent is the account holder (or you are), this is usually the fastest free option.

UPS Stores, FedEx Offices, and Shipping Centers

The UPS Store locations across Arizona may offer notary services. Arizona notaries may charge up to $10 per notarial signature; call the branch to confirm its posted fee and appointment availability.

FedEx Office locations in larger metro areas may also offer notary services; call the specific location to confirm availability and fees.

Mobile Notaries

If the parent can't easily get to a bank or store — they're homebound, don't have transportation, or the timing doesn't work with business hours — a mobile notary will come to you. Mobile notaries in Arizona charge a travel fee on top of the notarization fee, typically $25–$75 total.

Search for "mobile notary" plus your city, or use services like Notarize.com or NotaryGo for remote online notarization (Arizona allows this). Remote online notarization lets the parent appear by video call with a notary, which works for parents who are out of state or otherwise unable to meet in person. For a remotely notarized POA, the statutory thumbprint exception applies only when the notary journal includes the signer's identification credential number and the audiovisual recording is kept for at least seven years.

For an in-person POA notarization, Arizona law effective September 12, 2026 requires the signer to place a right thumbprint in the notary's journal. If the right thumbprint is unavailable, the notary records the left thumb or another available finger; if the signer cannot provide a print, the notary records that and the physical reason.

Jail and Prison Notary Services

If the parent is incarcerated, getting the POA notarized requires coordination with the facility. Most Arizona county jails and state prisons have notary services available — but the process is bureaucratic:

1. Contact the facility's social services department, case manager, or visitation office
2. Explain that you need a legal document notarized and bring a completed (unsigned) Form GNPPOA10F
3. The facility will schedule a time for the parent to sign in front of their notary and your witness (some facilities provide the witness; others require you to arrange one)
4. Processing times vary from a few days to several weeks depending on the facility's schedule

For Arizona Department of Corrections facilities, inmate legal services can usually facilitate the notarization. County jails tend to have shorter wait times than state prisons.

Hospital Notaries

If the parent is hospitalized, the hospital's patient advocate or social work department can often arrange for a notary. Large hospital systems in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas frequently handle this for families in crisis.

What the Notary Needs

Whoever performs the notarization will need:

• The parent (principal) present with valid photo ID
• One witness who is not named as the agent (caregiver) in the document
• The completed but unsigned Form GNPPOA10F — the parent must sign in the notary's presence, not beforehand
• The notary completes the jurat and affixes their official seal

The caregiver (agent) does not need to be present at the notarization, though having them there to take possession of the original document immediately is practical.

After Notarization

Make multiple copies. Distribute them to:

• The child's school registrar
• The child's primary care doctor and dentist
• Your own records (keep the original in a safe place)
• Any other institution that will interact with the child (child care provider, after-school program, sports league)

The POA is valid for six months from the effective date on the form. Calendar a reminder at the five-month mark to arrange renewal if the arrangement is continuing.

The Arizona School and Medical Consent Guide includes the complete Form GNPPOA10F walkthrough — every field explained, common mistakes, and what to do when an institution questions the document.

See more Arizona guides →