Great Seal of Arizona

Black and White Version of the Great Seal of Arizona

The official state seal of Arizona was designed in the Arizona Constitution. There is both a color and black and white version of the seal, but the black and white version is considered the official seal. The words "Great Seal of the State of Arizona" and the year of admission to the United States, 1912, is written around the seal.

The state's key enterprises at the time; mining, ranching, farming and climate; are symbolized on the face of the seal. In the background of the seal is a mountain range with the sun rising behind mountain peaks and at the right side of the mountain range is a storage reservoir (a man-made lake) and a dam. The sun and reservoir represent Arizona’s dry and sunny climate. In the middle of the seal are irrigated fields and orchards to represent farming; and, in the lower right side we see ranching represented in the form of grazing cattle. To the left, on a mountainside, is a quartz mill with a miner with a pick and shovel.

Above the drawing is the state motto, "Ditat Deus," meaning "God Enriches."

History of the Great Seal of Arizona (PDF)

Permission to Use the State Seal

According to state statute, or law, the secretary of state is the keeper of the seal and may grant a certificate of approval for a state agency. The use of the seal cannot be used outside of state government. Any person who knowingly violates the law is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

To request permission to use the state seal, contact the office at (602) 542-4285 for more information or mail your request to:

Arizona Constitution Article 22, § 20; A.R.S. §§ 41-121, 41-130

State Seal Request Form