Hawaii Notary Questions and Correct answers
A Notary Public is a _______ officer
Public
Notary Public Functions
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?
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?
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:
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
A Notary Public is a _______ officer
Public
Notary Public Functions
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?
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?
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:
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
