People recording documents in person at a county recorder's office must show photo ID (with exceptions), notaries must take a thumbprint for deeds and powers of attorney, county assessors must offer opt-in alerts on ownership or address changes, and recording a property claim while knowing or having reason to know it is forged, groundless or otherwise invalid becomes a felony.
Official title: deeds; identification; forgery; notice; notaries
- September 12, 2026
- Assessor alert system due by January 1, 2027: County assessor opt-in notification system for ownership or mailing address changes
What changes
-
NowAnyone recording a document in person at the recorder's office or a recording kiosk must show valid photo ID, unless it is submitted by an escrow officer or office, title insurance agent or insurer, bank or credit union, active Arizona State Bar member, or government entity. The recorder may not keep a copy of the ID but must note its type, name and number, and that information is not a public record.
BeforeRecording a claim against real property while knowing or having reason to know the document was forged, groundless, contained a material misstatement or false claim, or was otherwise invalid was a class 1 misdemeanor.
NowIt is a class 5 felony. The civil liability amounts stay the same: at least $5,000 or 3 times actual damages, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs.
-
NowFor deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, other documents affecting real property, and powers of attorney, the notary must have the signer place a right thumbprint (or another thumb or finger) in the notary's journal, or note and explain a physical inability. Exceptions: trustee's deeds from foreclosure, deeds of release and reconveyance, and remote notarizations where the journal includes the person's ID credential number and the notary keeps the video recording at least 7 years.
-
NowBy January 1, 2027, each county assessor must offer a voluntary, opt-in system that promptly alerts a property owner by email, text or similar means when the assessor gets notice of a change in the parcel's ownership or the owner's mailing address.
BeforeThe affidavit of legal value filed with a deed or sale contract listed the buyer's and seller's name and address.
NowIt must list their name, mailing address and telephone number, and they may add other contact information such as email.
Who it affects
- People recording documents in person at a county recorder's office
- Property owners
- Buyers and sellers of real property
- People signing deeds, other real property documents or powers of attorney before a notary
- Notaries public
- County recorders
- County assessors
What you need to do
If you record a document in person at a recorder's office or kiosk, bring valid photo ID unless an exempt business or office is submitting it. If you sign a deed, other real property document or power of attorney before a notary, expect to give a thumbprint, with exceptions. Property owners may choose to sign up for the assessor's change alerts.
What the law doesn't answer
- What the repealed section 12-524 covered
- Which forms of photo ID count as valid
- What happens if a person cannot show photo ID when recording
- How property owners sign up for the assessor's alert system
- Whether there is any charge for the alert system
- What the penalty is for a notary who does not take a thumbprint
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.