Hawaii Notary Manual Rev March 2025
Exam-Graded A
Notary Public's Functions - ANS-(1) administering oaths;
(2) witnessing the signing of documents;
(3) attesting to the identity of the signers of the document;
(4) noting protests; and
(5) taking acknowledgments of documents.
Whom is a notary public is required to provide notarial service to? - ANS-Although a
notary public may be commissioned to perform services in connection with work for
his/her employer, the notary is nonetheless required to provide notarial service to the
general public.
Hawaii's Qualifications - ANS-(1) A United States citizen/has a U.S. citizenship;
(2) A Hawaii resident
(3) At least 18 years old
Application Process - ANS-(1) Apply online; Pay non-refundable application fee; Submit
a letter of character and a letter of justification.
(2) Upon approval by the Attorney General, the applicant cant take a written closed-
book exam.
(3) Pass the exam (with a score of 80% or higher) and pay the commission fee.
The exam covers statutory laws and administrative rules that apply to notaries public, as
well as practical aspects of a notary's practice, and a notary's duties and
responsibilities.
Tenure - ANS-The term of commission of a notary public shall be four (4) years from the
date of the notary's commission.
How many days must a notary report a change in the notary's office, occupation,
residence, or employment? - ANS-In writing to the Attorney General within 30 days of
the change.
What happens when a notary fails to renew a commission in a timely manner? - ANS-
The commission will be forfeited if the Attorney General finds that the failure was done
knowingly.
, What needs to be done to renew a commission? - ANS-Submit a completed renewal
application, pay the renewal fee, OR complete the processing and filing of a
commission for renewal by the date of expiration of the commission.
What are the administrative fees for failure to turn in any changes to the Attorney
General? - ANS-Failure to provide written timely notification to the attorney general of
any change shall subject the notary to a $25 administrative fine.
Failure to provide written timely notification to the attorney general of any change of
address that results in renewal forms being mailed to an incorrect address shall subject
the notary to a $50 administrative fine.
Failure to Renew a Commission - ANS-The failure to renew a commission in a timely
manner may cause the commission to be forfeited if the Attorney General finds that the
failure was done knowingly.
A notary's forfeited commission more than one year from the date of expiration of the
commission shall reapply as a new applicant for a notary public commission.
How long can a notary restore its commission after it has been forfeited? - ANS-More
than a (1) year from the date of expiration and they would need to reapply as a new
applicant for a notary public commission.
Chapter 5-11, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) is? - ANS-The rules governing the
practices and procedures of notaries commissioned in Hawaii were adopted on May 5,
2008.
Chapter 456 covers? - ANS-The appointment and duties of notaries public and the
duties of other officers thereunder.
Notarial Seal - ANS-Keep a rubber stamp seal which shall be circular, not over 2 inches
in diameter, with a serrated or milled edge border and clearly show, stamped, upon a
document, the notary's name and commission number, and the words "notary public"
and "State of Hawaii".
What does a notary public need to do to authenticate official acts, attestations,
certificates, and instruments? - ANS-Add to an official signature the typed or printed
name of the notary and a statement showing the date that the notary's commission
expires.
Upon resignation, death, expiration of the notary public shall immediately deliver the
notary's seal to the _____ for defacement or destruction. - ANS-Attorney General
How long can a notary deliver their seal upon resignation, death, or expiration? - ANS-
Within 90 days. If the notary passes away, they need to have a personal representative
deliver the seal. Failure to comply results in a fee of up to $200.
Exam-Graded A
Notary Public's Functions - ANS-(1) administering oaths;
(2) witnessing the signing of documents;
(3) attesting to the identity of the signers of the document;
(4) noting protests; and
(5) taking acknowledgments of documents.
Whom is a notary public is required to provide notarial service to? - ANS-Although a
notary public may be commissioned to perform services in connection with work for
his/her employer, the notary is nonetheless required to provide notarial service to the
general public.
Hawaii's Qualifications - ANS-(1) A United States citizen/has a U.S. citizenship;
(2) A Hawaii resident
(3) At least 18 years old
Application Process - ANS-(1) Apply online; Pay non-refundable application fee; Submit
a letter of character and a letter of justification.
(2) Upon approval by the Attorney General, the applicant cant take a written closed-
book exam.
(3) Pass the exam (with a score of 80% or higher) and pay the commission fee.
The exam covers statutory laws and administrative rules that apply to notaries public, as
well as practical aspects of a notary's practice, and a notary's duties and
responsibilities.
Tenure - ANS-The term of commission of a notary public shall be four (4) years from the
date of the notary's commission.
How many days must a notary report a change in the notary's office, occupation,
residence, or employment? - ANS-In writing to the Attorney General within 30 days of
the change.
What happens when a notary fails to renew a commission in a timely manner? - ANS-
The commission will be forfeited if the Attorney General finds that the failure was done
knowingly.
, What needs to be done to renew a commission? - ANS-Submit a completed renewal
application, pay the renewal fee, OR complete the processing and filing of a
commission for renewal by the date of expiration of the commission.
What are the administrative fees for failure to turn in any changes to the Attorney
General? - ANS-Failure to provide written timely notification to the attorney general of
any change shall subject the notary to a $25 administrative fine.
Failure to provide written timely notification to the attorney general of any change of
address that results in renewal forms being mailed to an incorrect address shall subject
the notary to a $50 administrative fine.
Failure to Renew a Commission - ANS-The failure to renew a commission in a timely
manner may cause the commission to be forfeited if the Attorney General finds that the
failure was done knowingly.
A notary's forfeited commission more than one year from the date of expiration of the
commission shall reapply as a new applicant for a notary public commission.
How long can a notary restore its commission after it has been forfeited? - ANS-More
than a (1) year from the date of expiration and they would need to reapply as a new
applicant for a notary public commission.
Chapter 5-11, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) is? - ANS-The rules governing the
practices and procedures of notaries commissioned in Hawaii were adopted on May 5,
2008.
Chapter 456 covers? - ANS-The appointment and duties of notaries public and the
duties of other officers thereunder.
Notarial Seal - ANS-Keep a rubber stamp seal which shall be circular, not over 2 inches
in diameter, with a serrated or milled edge border and clearly show, stamped, upon a
document, the notary's name and commission number, and the words "notary public"
and "State of Hawaii".
What does a notary public need to do to authenticate official acts, attestations,
certificates, and instruments? - ANS-Add to an official signature the typed or printed
name of the notary and a statement showing the date that the notary's commission
expires.
Upon resignation, death, expiration of the notary public shall immediately deliver the
notary's seal to the _____ for defacement or destruction. - ANS-Attorney General
How long can a notary deliver their seal upon resignation, death, or expiration? - ANS-
Within 90 days. If the notary passes away, they need to have a personal representative
deliver the seal. Failure to comply results in a fee of up to $200.
