Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026/2027 — 77 Questions (Answered) Closed-book • Pass = 80%
HAWAII NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM
77 Questions (Answered) | Cycle
This comprehensive examination is aligned with the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 456 (Notaries
Public), HRS Chapter 502 (Acknowledgments and Recording), and the practical duties set out in the Notary
Public Manual issued by the Hawaii Attorney General. The exam is closed-book and written; a minimum score of
80% is required to pass. The exam tests eligibility and commission requirements, notarial powers and prohibited
acts, certificates (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations), seal and journal rules, bond and fee
schedules, ethical conduct, and scenario-based judgment. Each question below presents one correct answer
(marked *[CORRECT]*) followed by a rationale citing the controlling statute or Manual section.
Format: Q-number : Stem → four options (A–D) → Correct Answer → Rationale (citation to HRS Ch. or Hawaii Notary
Public Manual).
Section 1: Eligibility, Application, and Commission
12 questions — Eligibility, application, exam, commission term, restoration.
*Q1:* Under HRS Chapter 456, what is the minimum age requirement for an applicant seeking
appointment as a Hawaii notary public?
A. 16 years of age
B. 18 years of age *[CORRECT]*
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS §456-8 and the Hawaii Notary Public Manual require that an applicant for notarial commission
be at least 18 years of age. This minimum age threshold ensures the applicant has reached full legal capacity to
enter binding obligations, including the surety bond and oath of office. Options A (16) and C (21) reflect common
statutory age milestones unrelated to notarial appointment, while D (25) is not a recognized threshold under
Hawaii law.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 1
,Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026/2027 — 77 Questions (Answered) Closed-book • Pass = 80%
*Q2:* Which of the following individuals satisfies the residency and citizenship requirements to
become a Hawaii notary public?
A. A U.S. citizen who is a resident of California and works remotely for a Hawaii company
B. A foreign national on a tourist visa who has lived in Hawaii for six months
C. A permanent resident alien who resides in Hawaii and meets all other qualifications
*[CORRECT]*
D. A U.S. citizen visiting Hawaii who intends to relocate within one year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS §456-8 requires that an applicant be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident alien
AND be a Hawaii resident (or, for U.S. citizens, maintain a business presence in Hawaii). Option C satisfies both
the immigration status and residency prongs. Options A and D lack actual Hawaii residency or business presence
at the time of application, and Option B fails the immigration-status requirement because a tourist visa is not
permanent resident status.
*Q3:* What is the term length of a Hawaii notary public commission granted by the Attorney
General?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years *[CORRECT]*
C. 6 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS §456-10 provides that the notary commission is valid for a four-year term, after which the notary
must apply for reappointment. This term aligns with the periodic renewal cycle administered by the Department of
the Attorney General. The other options do not match Hawaii's statutory term.
*Q4:* Which state official is vested with the authority to administer the notary exam and commission
notaries public in Hawaii?
A. The Lieutenant Governor
B. The Secretary of State
C. The Attorney General *[CORRECT]*
D. The Governor, by executive order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS §456-2 expressly designates the Attorney General as the officer responsible for the appointment,
regulation, and discipline of notaries public in Hawaii. Unlike many states that delegate this function to the
Secretary of State, Hawaii centralizes notarial authority in the Attorney General. The Lieutenant Governor,
Secretary of State, and Governor have no statutory role in commissioning Hawaii notaries.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 2
, Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026/2027 — 77 Questions (Answered) Closed-book • Pass = 80%
*Q5:* What is the non-refundable application fee to apply for a Hawaii notary commission?
A. $10
B. $20 *[CORRECT]*
C. $50
D. $100
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual specifies a non-refundable $20 application fee that must accompany
the commission application. The $10 figure (Option A) is the exam fee, $100 (Option D) is the commission issuance
fee paid after passing, and $50 (Option C) corresponds to the fine for failure to notify an address change rather
than an application fee.
*Q6:* How much is the fee to sit for the Hawaii Notary Public written examination?
A. $5
B. $10 *[CORRECT]*
C. $20
D. $25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual sets the exam fee at $10. This is distinct from the $20 application fee
and the $100 commission issuance fee. The $5 figure is the standard per-act notarial fee, and $25 is the fee
assessed when an examinee fails to appear for a scheduled exam without prior notice.
*Q7:* After passing the exam and being approved, what fee must a notary pay for issuance of the
commission?
A. $20
B. $50
C. $100 *[CORRECT]*
D. $200
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual requires a $100 commission issuance fee paid before the
commission is granted and the certificate issued. The $200 figure represents the maximum fine for failing to deliver
the official seal to the Attorney General within 90 days of expiration, resignation, or revocation, not an issuance
fee.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 3
HAWAII NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM
77 Questions (Answered) | Cycle
This comprehensive examination is aligned with the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 456 (Notaries
Public), HRS Chapter 502 (Acknowledgments and Recording), and the practical duties set out in the Notary
Public Manual issued by the Hawaii Attorney General. The exam is closed-book and written; a minimum score of
80% is required to pass. The exam tests eligibility and commission requirements, notarial powers and prohibited
acts, certificates (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations), seal and journal rules, bond and fee
schedules, ethical conduct, and scenario-based judgment. Each question below presents one correct answer
(marked *[CORRECT]*) followed by a rationale citing the controlling statute or Manual section.
Format: Q-number : Stem → four options (A–D) → Correct Answer → Rationale (citation to HRS Ch. or Hawaii Notary
Public Manual).
Section 1: Eligibility, Application, and Commission
12 questions — Eligibility, application, exam, commission term, restoration.
*Q1:* Under HRS Chapter 456, what is the minimum age requirement for an applicant seeking
appointment as a Hawaii notary public?
A. 16 years of age
B. 18 years of age *[CORRECT]*
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS §456-8 and the Hawaii Notary Public Manual require that an applicant for notarial commission
be at least 18 years of age. This minimum age threshold ensures the applicant has reached full legal capacity to
enter binding obligations, including the surety bond and oath of office. Options A (16) and C (21) reflect common
statutory age milestones unrelated to notarial appointment, while D (25) is not a recognized threshold under
Hawaii law.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 1
,Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026/2027 — 77 Questions (Answered) Closed-book • Pass = 80%
*Q2:* Which of the following individuals satisfies the residency and citizenship requirements to
become a Hawaii notary public?
A. A U.S. citizen who is a resident of California and works remotely for a Hawaii company
B. A foreign national on a tourist visa who has lived in Hawaii for six months
C. A permanent resident alien who resides in Hawaii and meets all other qualifications
*[CORRECT]*
D. A U.S. citizen visiting Hawaii who intends to relocate within one year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS §456-8 requires that an applicant be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident alien
AND be a Hawaii resident (or, for U.S. citizens, maintain a business presence in Hawaii). Option C satisfies both
the immigration status and residency prongs. Options A and D lack actual Hawaii residency or business presence
at the time of application, and Option B fails the immigration-status requirement because a tourist visa is not
permanent resident status.
*Q3:* What is the term length of a Hawaii notary public commission granted by the Attorney
General?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years *[CORRECT]*
C. 6 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS §456-10 provides that the notary commission is valid for a four-year term, after which the notary
must apply for reappointment. This term aligns with the periodic renewal cycle administered by the Department of
the Attorney General. The other options do not match Hawaii's statutory term.
*Q4:* Which state official is vested with the authority to administer the notary exam and commission
notaries public in Hawaii?
A. The Lieutenant Governor
B. The Secretary of State
C. The Attorney General *[CORRECT]*
D. The Governor, by executive order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS §456-2 expressly designates the Attorney General as the officer responsible for the appointment,
regulation, and discipline of notaries public in Hawaii. Unlike many states that delegate this function to the
Secretary of State, Hawaii centralizes notarial authority in the Attorney General. The Lieutenant Governor,
Secretary of State, and Governor have no statutory role in commissioning Hawaii notaries.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 2
, Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026/2027 — 77 Questions (Answered) Closed-book • Pass = 80%
*Q5:* What is the non-refundable application fee to apply for a Hawaii notary commission?
A. $10
B. $20 *[CORRECT]*
C. $50
D. $100
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual specifies a non-refundable $20 application fee that must accompany
the commission application. The $10 figure (Option A) is the exam fee, $100 (Option D) is the commission issuance
fee paid after passing, and $50 (Option C) corresponds to the fine for failure to notify an address change rather
than an application fee.
*Q6:* How much is the fee to sit for the Hawaii Notary Public written examination?
A. $5
B. $10 *[CORRECT]*
C. $20
D. $25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual sets the exam fee at $10. This is distinct from the $20 application fee
and the $100 commission issuance fee. The $5 figure is the standard per-act notarial fee, and $25 is the fee
assessed when an examinee fails to appear for a scheduled exam without prior notice.
*Q7:* After passing the exam and being approved, what fee must a notary pay for issuance of the
commission?
A. $20
B. $50
C. $100 *[CORRECT]*
D. $200
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Hawaii Notary Public Manual requires a $100 commission issuance fee paid before the
commission is granted and the certificate issued. The $200 figure represents the maximum fine for failing to deliver
the official seal to the Attorney General within 90 days of expiration, resignation, or revocation, not an issuance
fee.
HRS Chapter 456 • HRS Chapter 502 • Hawaii Notary Public Manual Page 3
