Hawaii Notary Public Exam
Advanced Multiple-Choice Question Bank
150 Questions with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following is NOT a statutory qualification for appointment as a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) Being at least 18 years of age
B) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
C) Being a United States citizen or legal permanent resident
D) Having no prior criminal convictions of any kind
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hawaii law requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, be a resident of the State, and
possess the other qualifications required of public officers. While applicants must disclose felony
convictions and certain misdemeanors related to fraud, perjury, forgery, etc., having prior convictions
does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The attorney general evaluates each application
individually. There is no requirement of having no criminal convictions of any kind.
2. Under Hawaii law, who has the authority to appoint and commission notaries public?
A) The Governor of Hawaii
B) The Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court
C) The Attorney General
D) The Lieutenant Governor
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Pursuant to HRS § 456-1, 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.
3. 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, unless sooner removed by the attorney general for cause after due hearing.
4. A notary public's commission may be revoked or disciplined by the attorney general:
A) Only upon conviction of a felony
B) For any cause and after due hearing
C) Only upon written request from three or more citizens
D) Automatically upon the notary's 65th birthday
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After due hearing, the commission of a notary public may be revoked or otherwise
disciplined by the attorney general. The attorney general has broad authority to suspend or revoke any
commission for any cause or for any violation of the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
5. A notary public must report any change in office, occupation, residence, or employment to the
attorney general:
A) Within 10 days
B) Within 30 days
,C) Within 60 days
D) Forthwith (immediately)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Each notary shall, upon any change in the notary's office, occupation, residence, or
employment, forthwith report the same to the attorney general. "Forthwith" means immediately or
without delay.
6. If a notary public fails to renew their commission in a timely manner and the attorney general
finds the failure was done knowingly:
A) The commission is automatically extended for 30 days
B) The commission may be forfeited
C) The notary must pay a $500 fine
D) The notary is permanently disqualified from reappointment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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 forfeited commission may
be restored by the attorney general within one year after the date of forfeiture upon compliance with
renewal requirements.
7. Which of the following is NOT a power granted to the attorney general regarding notaries
public?
A) Issue notary public commissions to applicants
B) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules
C) Set maximum fees that notaries may charge for their services
D) Impose administrative fines
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The attorney general has the powers to: (1) Issue notary public commissions to applicants;
(2) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules; (3) Suspend or revoke any commission; and (4) Impose
administrative fines. The attorney general does not set maximum fees that notaries may charge; fees
are typically set by statute or administrative rule.
8. Before entering upon their duties, a newly appointed notary public must:
A) Purchase errors and omissions insurance
B) Take and subscribe an oath for the faithful discharge of duties
C) Complete a 40-hour training course
D) Obtain approval from their employer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Every person appointed to the office of notary public must, before entering thereon, take
and subscribe an oath for the faithful discharge of the person's duties, which oath must be filed in the
department of the attorney general.
9. A notary public who fails to renew their commission in a timely manner may have the
commission restored by the attorney general within what time period?
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 the commission renewal requirements provided by law and
upon written application and payment of all applicable fees.
Advanced Multiple-Choice Question Bank
150 Questions with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following is NOT a statutory qualification for appointment as a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) Being at least 18 years of age
B) Being a resident of the State of Hawaii
C) Being a United States citizen or legal permanent resident
D) Having no prior criminal convictions of any kind
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hawaii law requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, be a resident of the State, and
possess the other qualifications required of public officers. While applicants must disclose felony
convictions and certain misdemeanors related to fraud, perjury, forgery, etc., having prior convictions
does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The attorney general evaluates each application
individually. There is no requirement of having no criminal convictions of any kind.
2. Under Hawaii law, who has the authority to appoint and commission notaries public?
A) The Governor of Hawaii
B) The Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court
C) The Attorney General
D) The Lieutenant Governor
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Pursuant to HRS § 456-1, 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.
3. 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, unless sooner removed by the attorney general for cause after due hearing.
4. A notary public's commission may be revoked or disciplined by the attorney general:
A) Only upon conviction of a felony
B) For any cause and after due hearing
C) Only upon written request from three or more citizens
D) Automatically upon the notary's 65th birthday
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After due hearing, the commission of a notary public may be revoked or otherwise
disciplined by the attorney general. The attorney general has broad authority to suspend or revoke any
commission for any cause or for any violation of the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
5. A notary public must report any change in office, occupation, residence, or employment to the
attorney general:
A) Within 10 days
B) Within 30 days
,C) Within 60 days
D) Forthwith (immediately)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Each notary shall, upon any change in the notary's office, occupation, residence, or
employment, forthwith report the same to the attorney general. "Forthwith" means immediately or
without delay.
6. If a notary public fails to renew their commission in a timely manner and the attorney general
finds the failure was done knowingly:
A) The commission is automatically extended for 30 days
B) The commission may be forfeited
C) The notary must pay a $500 fine
D) The notary is permanently disqualified from reappointment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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 forfeited commission may
be restored by the attorney general within one year after the date of forfeiture upon compliance with
renewal requirements.
7. Which of the following is NOT a power granted to the attorney general regarding notaries
public?
A) Issue notary public commissions to applicants
B) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules
C) Set maximum fees that notaries may charge for their services
D) Impose administrative fines
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The attorney general has the powers to: (1) Issue notary public commissions to applicants;
(2) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules; (3) Suspend or revoke any commission; and (4) Impose
administrative fines. The attorney general does not set maximum fees that notaries may charge; fees
are typically set by statute or administrative rule.
8. Before entering upon their duties, a newly appointed notary public must:
A) Purchase errors and omissions insurance
B) Take and subscribe an oath for the faithful discharge of duties
C) Complete a 40-hour training course
D) Obtain approval from their employer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Every person appointed to the office of notary public must, before entering thereon, take
and subscribe an oath for the faithful discharge of the person's duties, which oath must be filed in the
department of the attorney general.
9. A notary public who fails to renew their commission in a timely manner may have the
commission restored by the attorney general within what time period?
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 the commission renewal requirements provided by law and
upon written application and payment of all applicable fees.
