Arizona requires that all legal document preparation professionals be certified. Legal Document Preparers are individuals who provide document preparation assistance and services to individuals and entities not represented by an attorney. In Arizona, legal document preparers can be called: “Independent Paralegals”: See generally for registration requirements.
See Also Arizona Association of Independent Paralegals
INITIAL CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
How to apply for certification as a legal document preparer:
1. Check the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration, specifically section § 7-208(E) for eligibility requirements to ensure that you are eligible for certification. Click here for ACJA § 7-208.
2. You must first sit for and pass the examination. To download the exam schedule and registration form for the Legal Document Preparer (LDP) Knowledge Examination, click here. Please note that all fees are non-refundable, so be sure to schedule your exam on a day that you can attend as scheduled. There is a study guide that corresponds to the current examination being administered. Please see the link below. The Supreme Court does not provide any preparatory classes or trainings for the exam or the Legal Document Preparer Program in general.
3. Test results will be mailed to the address you provided to Division staff within 2-4 weeks. An application for initial certification and a fingerprint card will be included if you have successfully passed the exam. If you did not pass, you may send a written request to retake the exam to LDP@courts.az.gov and further instructions will be provided.
4. Fill out the Initial Certification Application as instructed. Be sure to include the required picture and fingerprints for the background check. If any further information is needed, Division staff will be in contact with you. Please note that any deficient information or documentation will prolong the application process.
5. Once the application process is complete, Division staff will present your application during the next scheduled Legal Document Preparer Board meeting for a decision. The decisions made during the Board meeting will be mailed to any and all applicants on the agenda unless the applicant is deferred due to deficient information.
Allow 2-4 months to process applications.