The naming process begins when an applicant submits a proposal for a new name, name change, or name designation. Anyone can submit a proposal.
The Board's Research Support staff will confirm with the applicant that their proposal has been received and follow up with any questions about the proposal.
Research Support staff is also available to assist applicants in completing their proposal.
Submit completed applications to aznames@azlibrary.gov.
Please note that while Research Support staff may assist with the application, the research stage of the process does not formally begin until an application is received.
The Board follows the Principles, Policies, and Procedures of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Once an application is received, the Board's Research Staff reviews the application to ensure it meets these standards.
If the application does not meet these standards, Research Support staff will inform the applicant and cite the conflicting principle, policy, or procedure. Research Support staff will work with the applicant to revise the application so that it does meet the standards.
Once Research Support staff has determined that the application meets the minimum standards of the Principles, Policies, and Procedures, a docket number will be assigned based on when the application was received. For example, a docket number of 2024-01 means this is the first application received by the Board in the year 2024.
All documentation is filed with a folder created for this docket. This includes the application, written correspondence, research, stakeholder responses, and any supporting documentation.
Once a docket number is assigned, the Research Stage of the process formally begins.