Hawaii Notary Public Exam
Advanced Multiple-Choice Question Bank – Version 2
150 Questions with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following is a statutory requirement for appointment as a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Being a registered voter in Hawaii
B) Being a United States citizen or legal permanent resident
C) Having a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
D) Being employed in a professional capacity for at least two years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii law requires applicants to be United States citizens or legal permanent residents.
There is no requirement to be a registered voter, hold a bachelor's degree, or have prior professional
employment.
2. Under Hawaii law, who has the authority to adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to notaries
public?
A) The Hawaii State Legislature
B) The Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court
C) The Attorney General
D) The Governor of Hawaii
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The attorney general has the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to notaries
public. This authority is granted under HRS Chapter 456 and implemented through Hawaii
Administrative Rules Title 5, Chapter 11.
,3. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Hawaii?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
4. A notary public who fails to renew their commission in a timely manner may have the
commission restored by the attorney general. What is the maximum time period for restoration?
A) 30 days
B) 90 days
C) One year
D) Two years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A forfeited commission may be restored by the attorney general within one year after the
date of forfeiture upon compliance with renewal requirements.
5. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable qualification for a Hawaii notary public applicant
regarding residency?
A) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
B) Having a principal place of business in the State of Hawaii
C) Being a non-resident who owns property in Hawaii
D) Being a resident of Hawaii who is temporarily living abroad
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Applicants must be a resident of Hawaii or have a principal place of business in the state.
Simply owning property in Hawaii without being a resident or having a principal place of business
does not satisfy the residency requirement.
6. What must a notary public applicant provide to demonstrate their character and fitness?
A) A letter of character recommendation from a relative
B) A letter of character recommendation from a person residing in Hawaii who is not a relative or
employer
C) A certificate of good conduct from the police department
D) A sworn affidavit from three community members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A completed application shall include a letter of character recommendation from a person
residing in this State, who is not a relative or an employer of the applicant, who can attest to the
applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, financial integrity, and moral character.
7. A government notary public applicant's letter of justification must come from:
A) The applicant's immediate supervisor
B) The head of every department where the applicant is employed
C) The county mayor
D) The Governor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When an application is made for a commission as a government notary public, the
application shall be accompanied by a letter of justification from the head of every department where
the applicant is employed.
8. If a notary public applicant is self-employed, who must provide the letter of justification?
, A) A business partner
B) The applicant themselves
C) A customer or client
D) The county clerk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A completed application shall include a letter of justification from the applicant's employer
or, if the applicant is self-employed, from the applicant, explaining in detail the reasons why the
commission is being sought.
9. Which of the following criminal convictions must be disclosed on a notary public application?
A) Only felonies
B) Only misdemeanors
C) Felonies and misdemeanors involving fraud, perjury, forgery, or false statements
D) All criminal convictions including traffic violations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The application may require disclosure of convictions for any felony, or a misdemeanor
related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a notary public or involving fraud, false statements,
perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, or extortion.
10. What is the term of office for a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Two years
B) Three years
C) Four years
D) Five years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term of office of a notary public shall be four years from the date of the notary's
commission.
Advanced Multiple-Choice Question Bank – Version 2
150 Questions with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following is a statutory requirement for appointment as a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Being a registered voter in Hawaii
B) Being a United States citizen or legal permanent resident
C) Having a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
D) Being employed in a professional capacity for at least two years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii law requires applicants to be United States citizens or legal permanent residents.
There is no requirement to be a registered voter, hold a bachelor's degree, or have prior professional
employment.
2. Under Hawaii law, who has the authority to adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to notaries
public?
A) The Hawaii State Legislature
B) The Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court
C) The Attorney General
D) The Governor of Hawaii
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The attorney general has the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to notaries
public. This authority is granted under HRS Chapter 456 and implemented through Hawaii
Administrative Rules Title 5, Chapter 11.
,3. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Hawaii?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
4. A notary public who fails to renew their commission in a timely manner may have the
commission restored by the attorney general. What is the maximum time period for restoration?
A) 30 days
B) 90 days
C) One year
D) Two years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A forfeited commission may be restored by the attorney general within one year after the
date of forfeiture upon compliance with renewal requirements.
5. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable qualification for a Hawaii notary public applicant
regarding residency?
A) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
B) Having a principal place of business in the State of Hawaii
C) Being a non-resident who owns property in Hawaii
D) Being a resident of Hawaii who is temporarily living abroad
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Applicants must be a resident of Hawaii or have a principal place of business in the state.
Simply owning property in Hawaii without being a resident or having a principal place of business
does not satisfy the residency requirement.
6. What must a notary public applicant provide to demonstrate their character and fitness?
A) A letter of character recommendation from a relative
B) A letter of character recommendation from a person residing in Hawaii who is not a relative or
employer
C) A certificate of good conduct from the police department
D) A sworn affidavit from three community members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A completed application shall include a letter of character recommendation from a person
residing in this State, who is not a relative or an employer of the applicant, who can attest to the
applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, financial integrity, and moral character.
7. A government notary public applicant's letter of justification must come from:
A) The applicant's immediate supervisor
B) The head of every department where the applicant is employed
C) The county mayor
D) The Governor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When an application is made for a commission as a government notary public, the
application shall be accompanied by a letter of justification from the head of every department where
the applicant is employed.
8. If a notary public applicant is self-employed, who must provide the letter of justification?
, A) A business partner
B) The applicant themselves
C) A customer or client
D) The county clerk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A completed application shall include a letter of justification from the applicant's employer
or, if the applicant is self-employed, from the applicant, explaining in detail the reasons why the
commission is being sought.
9. Which of the following criminal convictions must be disclosed on a notary public application?
A) Only felonies
B) Only misdemeanors
C) Felonies and misdemeanors involving fraud, perjury, forgery, or false statements
D) All criminal convictions including traffic violations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The application may require disclosure of convictions for any felony, or a misdemeanor
related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a notary public or involving fraud, false statements,
perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, or extortion.
10. What is the term of office for a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Two years
B) Three years
C) Four years
D) Five years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term of office of a notary public shall be four years from the date of the notary's
commission.
