HAWAII NOTARY 2025/2026 UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS.
Question 1
In the State of Hawaii, who is the official responsible for the appointment and commissioning of
a Notary Public?
A) The Governor
B) The Lieutenant Governor
C) The Attorney General
D) The Secretary of State
E) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Correct Answer: C) The Attorney General
Rationale: According to Hawaii Revised Statutes, the power to appoint and commission
Notaries Public is vested in the Attorney General. While in many other states the Governor
or Secretary of State handles these appointments, Hawaii specifically designates the
Attorney General to oversee the application process and the issuance of commissions for a
term of four years.
Question 2
What is the standard term of office (tenure) for a commissioned Notary Public in Hawaii?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 5 years
D) 10 years
E) Life, pending good behavior
Correct Answer: B) 4 years
Rationale: The tenure for a Hawaii Notary Public is set at four years from the date of their
commission. At the end of this period, the notary must seek a renewal of their commission
to continue performing notarial acts. Failure to renew on time results in the expiration of
their authority to act as an officer of the state.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Notary Public in Hawaii?
A) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
B) Being at least 18 years of age
C) Being a citizen of the United States
D) Having a college degree
E) All of the above are requirements
Correct Answer: D) Having a college degree
Rationale: The three primary statutory requirements to qualify for a notary commission in
Hawaii are: 1) Being a resident of the state; 2) Being at least 18 years of age; and 3) Being a
, 2
U.S. citizen. There is no educational requirement such as a high school diploma or college
degree, although applicants must pass an examination to prove their competency in notary
laws and procedures.
Question 4
A Hawaii Notary is required to take and subscribe a pledge for the faithful execution of their
duties. This is known as the:
A) Professional Pledge
B) Official Oath
C) Notarial Affirmation
D) Act of Loyalty
E) Commission Covenant
Correct Answer: B) Official Oath
Rationale: Before entering upon the duties of the office, every notary must take and
subscribe an official oath. This oath is a formal promise to support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, and to faithfully discharge the
duties of the office of Notary Public to the best of their ability.
Question 5
Regarding the official seal of a Hawaii Notary, what is the maximum allowable diameter for the
round seal?
A) 1 inch
B) 1.5 inches
C) 2 inches
D) 2.5 inches
E) 3 inches
Correct Answer: D) 2.5 inches
Rationale: Hawaii law provides specific aesthetic and technical requirements for the notary
seal. It must be a rubber stamp or an embosser that is round and not more than two and
one-half (2.5) inches in diameter. Seals exceeding this size are non-compliant and may lead
to the rejection of notarized documents.
Question 6
What unique border feature is required by law for a Hawaii Notary's official seal?
A) A smooth, solid line
B) A double-circle border
C) An uneven or serrated border
D) A floral pattern border
E) No border is required
, 3
Correct Answer: C) An uneven or serrated border
Rationale: The Hawaii Administrative Rules specify that the official seal of a notary public
must have an uneven or serrated border. This distinct characteristic helps in identifying
official Hawaii notarial acts and prevents the use of generic, non-compliant seals that might
be used in other jurisdictions.
Question 7
Which of the following pieces of information is NOT required to be engraved or imprinted on
the Hawaii Notary seal?
A) The Notary's Name
B) The words "Notary Public"
C) The words "State of Hawaii"
D) The Notary's Commission Number
E) The Notary's Home Address
Correct Answer: E) The Notary's Home Address
Rationale: The mandatory elements for a Hawaii Notary seal include the notary's name, the
notary's commission number, the words "Notary Public," and the words "State of
Hawaii." Including a home address is not required and would be considered an improper
addition to the official seal format.
Question 8
When performing a notarial act, the "Official Signature" of the notary must include which of the
following?
A) The signed name and the printed name of the notary
B) The expiration date of the notary's commission
C) The notary's social security number
D) Both A and B
E) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: For an act to be validly executed, the notary must provide their official signature
exactly as it appears on their commission, their printed or typed name, and the expiration
date of their commission. This ensures that the public and officials can verify the identity of
the notary and ensure their commission was active at the time of the act.
Question 9
After being commissioned, where must a Hawaii Notary file a copy of their commission, an
impression of their seal, and a specimen of their official signature?
A) The Attorney General's Office only
B) The Lieutenant Governor's Office
C) The Clerk of the Circuit Court in their jurisdiction
, 4
D) The Governor's Office
E) The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: C) The Clerk of the Circuit Court in their jurisdiction
Rationale: To finalize the appointment process, the notary must file their credentials with
the clerk of the circuit court in the county (jurisdiction) where they reside. This filing
allows the court to "authenticate" the notary’s acts later if the document is sent out of state
or out of the country.
Question 10
The process by which a county clerk verifies that a notary’s commission is valid and on file is
known as:
A) Validation
B) Authentication
C) Certification
D) Verification
E) Commissioning
Correct Answer: B) Authentication
Rationale: Authentication is the formal procedure where a government official (like a court
clerk) confirms that the signature and seal on a document belong to a commissioned
notary. This is often required for documents being used in foreign countries or in different
states to provide an extra layer of trust in the notary's authority.
Question 11
What is the amount of the surety bond that a Hawaii Notary must maintain?
A) $500
B) $1,000
C) $5,000
D) $10,000
E) $25,000
Correct Answer: B) $1,000
Rationale: Hawaii requires all non-government notaries to obtain a surety bond in the
amount of $1,000. This bond serves as a financial guarantee that the notary will perform
their duties according to law. If a notary's negligence or misconduct causes a person
financial loss, that person can claim against the bond.
Question 12
Who is responsible for approving the notary's $1,000 surety bond?
A) The Attorney General
B) The Governor
SOLUTIONS.
Question 1
In the State of Hawaii, who is the official responsible for the appointment and commissioning of
a Notary Public?
A) The Governor
B) The Lieutenant Governor
C) The Attorney General
D) The Secretary of State
E) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Correct Answer: C) The Attorney General
Rationale: According to Hawaii Revised Statutes, the power to appoint and commission
Notaries Public is vested in the Attorney General. While in many other states the Governor
or Secretary of State handles these appointments, Hawaii specifically designates the
Attorney General to oversee the application process and the issuance of commissions for a
term of four years.
Question 2
What is the standard term of office (tenure) for a commissioned Notary Public in Hawaii?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 5 years
D) 10 years
E) Life, pending good behavior
Correct Answer: B) 4 years
Rationale: The tenure for a Hawaii Notary Public is set at four years from the date of their
commission. At the end of this period, the notary must seek a renewal of their commission
to continue performing notarial acts. Failure to renew on time results in the expiration of
their authority to act as an officer of the state.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Notary Public in Hawaii?
A) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
B) Being at least 18 years of age
C) Being a citizen of the United States
D) Having a college degree
E) All of the above are requirements
Correct Answer: D) Having a college degree
Rationale: The three primary statutory requirements to qualify for a notary commission in
Hawaii are: 1) Being a resident of the state; 2) Being at least 18 years of age; and 3) Being a
, 2
U.S. citizen. There is no educational requirement such as a high school diploma or college
degree, although applicants must pass an examination to prove their competency in notary
laws and procedures.
Question 4
A Hawaii Notary is required to take and subscribe a pledge for the faithful execution of their
duties. This is known as the:
A) Professional Pledge
B) Official Oath
C) Notarial Affirmation
D) Act of Loyalty
E) Commission Covenant
Correct Answer: B) Official Oath
Rationale: Before entering upon the duties of the office, every notary must take and
subscribe an official oath. This oath is a formal promise to support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, and to faithfully discharge the
duties of the office of Notary Public to the best of their ability.
Question 5
Regarding the official seal of a Hawaii Notary, what is the maximum allowable diameter for the
round seal?
A) 1 inch
B) 1.5 inches
C) 2 inches
D) 2.5 inches
E) 3 inches
Correct Answer: D) 2.5 inches
Rationale: Hawaii law provides specific aesthetic and technical requirements for the notary
seal. It must be a rubber stamp or an embosser that is round and not more than two and
one-half (2.5) inches in diameter. Seals exceeding this size are non-compliant and may lead
to the rejection of notarized documents.
Question 6
What unique border feature is required by law for a Hawaii Notary's official seal?
A) A smooth, solid line
B) A double-circle border
C) An uneven or serrated border
D) A floral pattern border
E) No border is required
, 3
Correct Answer: C) An uneven or serrated border
Rationale: The Hawaii Administrative Rules specify that the official seal of a notary public
must have an uneven or serrated border. This distinct characteristic helps in identifying
official Hawaii notarial acts and prevents the use of generic, non-compliant seals that might
be used in other jurisdictions.
Question 7
Which of the following pieces of information is NOT required to be engraved or imprinted on
the Hawaii Notary seal?
A) The Notary's Name
B) The words "Notary Public"
C) The words "State of Hawaii"
D) The Notary's Commission Number
E) The Notary's Home Address
Correct Answer: E) The Notary's Home Address
Rationale: The mandatory elements for a Hawaii Notary seal include the notary's name, the
notary's commission number, the words "Notary Public," and the words "State of
Hawaii." Including a home address is not required and would be considered an improper
addition to the official seal format.
Question 8
When performing a notarial act, the "Official Signature" of the notary must include which of the
following?
A) The signed name and the printed name of the notary
B) The expiration date of the notary's commission
C) The notary's social security number
D) Both A and B
E) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: For an act to be validly executed, the notary must provide their official signature
exactly as it appears on their commission, their printed or typed name, and the expiration
date of their commission. This ensures that the public and officials can verify the identity of
the notary and ensure their commission was active at the time of the act.
Question 9
After being commissioned, where must a Hawaii Notary file a copy of their commission, an
impression of their seal, and a specimen of their official signature?
A) The Attorney General's Office only
B) The Lieutenant Governor's Office
C) The Clerk of the Circuit Court in their jurisdiction
, 4
D) The Governor's Office
E) The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: C) The Clerk of the Circuit Court in their jurisdiction
Rationale: To finalize the appointment process, the notary must file their credentials with
the clerk of the circuit court in the county (jurisdiction) where they reside. This filing
allows the court to "authenticate" the notary’s acts later if the document is sent out of state
or out of the country.
Question 10
The process by which a county clerk verifies that a notary’s commission is valid and on file is
known as:
A) Validation
B) Authentication
C) Certification
D) Verification
E) Commissioning
Correct Answer: B) Authentication
Rationale: Authentication is the formal procedure where a government official (like a court
clerk) confirms that the signature and seal on a document belong to a commissioned
notary. This is often required for documents being used in foreign countries or in different
states to provide an extra layer of trust in the notary's authority.
Question 11
What is the amount of the surety bond that a Hawaii Notary must maintain?
A) $500
B) $1,000
C) $5,000
D) $10,000
E) $25,000
Correct Answer: B) $1,000
Rationale: Hawaii requires all non-government notaries to obtain a surety bond in the
amount of $1,000. This bond serves as a financial guarantee that the notary will perform
their duties according to law. If a notary's negligence or misconduct causes a person
financial loss, that person can claim against the bond.
Question 12
Who is responsible for approving the notary's $1,000 surety bond?
A) The Attorney General
B) The Governor
