Hawaii Notary Public Exam questions and
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
A Notary Public is a _______ officer
- correct answer Public
Notary Public Functions
- correct answer The functions of a Notary Public include:
(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
Is a Notary Public required to provide services to the general public?
- correct answer Although a notary public may be commissioned to perform services in connection with
work for their employer, the notary is nonetheless a public officer and as such is required to provide
notarial service to the general public.
Is a Government Notary required to provide services to the general public?
- correct answer A government notary whose fees and bond are waived is limited by law to performing
notarial services pertaining to the business of government, except where the occasion is deemed by the
head of the department of the governmental unit to be one of urgent necessity and convenience.
In Hawaii, to be eligible for a notary public commission, the applicant must be:
- correct answer 1. A United States citizen, or a national or permanent resident alien of the U.S. who
diligently seeks citizenship upon becoming eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship
2. A Hawaii resident
3. At least 18 years old
,Appointment and Tenure
- correct answer The Attorney General may, in the Attorney General's discretion, appoint and
commission such number of notaries public for the State as the Attorney General deems necessary for
the public good and convenience.
The term of office of a notary public shall be four years from the date of the notary's commission
Renewal Requirements
- correct answer Each notary is responsible for:
1) renewing their commission on a timely basis; and
2) satisfying the renewal requirements provided by law.
Notarial Seal Requirements
- correct answer The notarial seal must be:
1) An engraved seal of office or a rubber stamp facsimile seal
2) Be circular
3) Not over 2" in diameter
4) Have a serrated or milled edge border
5) Clearly show (when embossed, stamped, or impressed upon a document):
(a) The notary's name
(b) The notary's commission number
(c) The words "notary public" and "State of Hawaii"
Notary's Signature Requirements
- correct answer The notary's signature must:
1) Match the name on the seal
2) Have the date of expiration of the notary's commission as a notary public added to it
3) Include a typed or legibly printed name of the notary below the notary's signature
, Requirement to File with Commission (after being commissioned)
- correct answer The notary must file with the clerk of the circuit court of the circuit in which the notary
resides:
1) a photocopy of the commission
2) an impression of the notary's seal
3) a specimen of the notary's official signature
Authentication of Notarial Acts
- correct answer Any clerk, when requested, shall certify to the official character and acts of any such
notary whose commission, impression of seal, and specimen of official signature are on file with the
clerk's office.
Authentication may also be performed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Official Bond
- correct answer Before performing any notarial duties, the notary must execute a surety bond in the
sum of $1,000.
The bond is at the expense of the notary or their employer.
The bond shall be approved by a judge of the circuit court of the circuit in which the notary resides.
Notarial Record Book - Recording Official Acts
- correct answer The notary shall record all official acts performed in a book of records. For each act the
following must be entered:
1) The type, date, and time of day of the notarial act;
2) The title or type and date of the document or proceeding;
3) The signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each
witness;
4) Other parties to the instrument; and
5) The manner in which the signer was identified.
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
A Notary Public is a _______ officer
- correct answer Public
Notary Public Functions
- correct answer The functions of a Notary Public include:
(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
Is a Notary Public required to provide services to the general public?
- correct answer Although a notary public may be commissioned to perform services in connection with
work for their employer, the notary is nonetheless a public officer and as such is required to provide
notarial service to the general public.
Is a Government Notary required to provide services to the general public?
- correct answer A government notary whose fees and bond are waived is limited by law to performing
notarial services pertaining to the business of government, except where the occasion is deemed by the
head of the department of the governmental unit to be one of urgent necessity and convenience.
In Hawaii, to be eligible for a notary public commission, the applicant must be:
- correct answer 1. A United States citizen, or a national or permanent resident alien of the U.S. who
diligently seeks citizenship upon becoming eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship
2. A Hawaii resident
3. At least 18 years old
,Appointment and Tenure
- correct answer The Attorney General may, in the Attorney General's discretion, appoint and
commission such number of notaries public for the State as the Attorney General deems necessary for
the public good and convenience.
The term of office of a notary public shall be four years from the date of the notary's commission
Renewal Requirements
- correct answer Each notary is responsible for:
1) renewing their commission on a timely basis; and
2) satisfying the renewal requirements provided by law.
Notarial Seal Requirements
- correct answer The notarial seal must be:
1) An engraved seal of office or a rubber stamp facsimile seal
2) Be circular
3) Not over 2" in diameter
4) Have a serrated or milled edge border
5) Clearly show (when embossed, stamped, or impressed upon a document):
(a) The notary's name
(b) The notary's commission number
(c) The words "notary public" and "State of Hawaii"
Notary's Signature Requirements
- correct answer The notary's signature must:
1) Match the name on the seal
2) Have the date of expiration of the notary's commission as a notary public added to it
3) Include a typed or legibly printed name of the notary below the notary's signature
, Requirement to File with Commission (after being commissioned)
- correct answer The notary must file with the clerk of the circuit court of the circuit in which the notary
resides:
1) a photocopy of the commission
2) an impression of the notary's seal
3) a specimen of the notary's official signature
Authentication of Notarial Acts
- correct answer Any clerk, when requested, shall certify to the official character and acts of any such
notary whose commission, impression of seal, and specimen of official signature are on file with the
clerk's office.
Authentication may also be performed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Official Bond
- correct answer Before performing any notarial duties, the notary must execute a surety bond in the
sum of $1,000.
The bond is at the expense of the notary or their employer.
The bond shall be approved by a judge of the circuit court of the circuit in which the notary resides.
Notarial Record Book - Recording Official Acts
- correct answer The notary shall record all official acts performed in a book of records. For each act the
following must be entered:
1) The type, date, and time of day of the notarial act;
2) The title or type and date of the document or proceeding;
3) The signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each
witness;
4) Other parties to the instrument; and
5) The manner in which the signer was identified.
