HAWAII NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM 77 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ What is an acknowledgment in notarial terms?
Answer: A public declaration by a person that the execution of an
instrument was their free act and deed.
◉ What is the purpose of notarizing a document?
Answer: To protect the parties signing the document and ensure its
authenticity.
◉ What does HAR § 5-11-8 require from a notary?
Answer: To evidence every acknowledgment or jurat with a
certificate describing the document to prevent fraud.
◉ What is the definition of an oath?
Answer: A solemn pledge made by a person, often with an appeal to
God, to attest to the truth of their words.
◉ What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
,Answer: An oath appeals to a deity, while an affirmation is a solemn
declaration made without such appeal.
◉ What is a deposition in notarial terms?
Answer: Written testimony of a witness given under oath in advance
of a trial or hearing.
◉ What is a protest in notarial practice?
Answer: A formal declaration by a person expressing dissent or
disapproval regarding an act.
◉ What should a notary do if they have a personal interest in a
matter?
Answer: They should not certify to or act in that matter.
◉ Can a notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No, a notary should never notarize their own signature.
◉ What should a notary do if a document is in a foreign language?
Answer: Only notarize it if they have a thorough understanding of
that language.
◉ What is the notary's obligation to the public?
,Answer: To judge what acts constitute the practice of law and what
acts are notarial.
◉ What is the prescribed action if a notary is asked to prepare a
legal document?
Answer: They should obtain advice from an attorney unless they
have special training.
◉ What happens if the notary cannot communicate with the parties
in a document?
Answer: They should refer the parties to another notary who speaks
their language.
◉ What is the notary's duty regarding integrity and diligence?
Answer: A notary must perform their duties with integrity, diligence,
and skill.
◉ What is the notary's responsibility towards all affected parties?
Answer: The notary's duty extends beyond the individual they
directly serve.
◉ What is the significance of the notary's official seal?
Answer: It authenticates the notary's acts and the documents they
certify.
, ◉ What is the role of the notary public revolving fund?
Answer: To deposit fees received for services rendered in
governmental matters.
◉ What should a notary do if they encounter a document that
requires legal advice?
Answer: Refer the matter to an attorney for guidance.
◉ What is the consequence of notarizing a document improperly?
Answer: It could lead to fraud or the use of altered documents.
◉ What is required for a notary to administer oaths or take
acknowledgments in non-governmental matters?
Answer: The head of the department must deem it an urgent
necessity.
◉ What is the maximum number of pages a notary must list for each
notarized document?
Answer: They must specify the number of pages in close proximity
to the acknowledgment.
◉ What is the general rule regarding notarization of documents in
foreign languages?
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ What is an acknowledgment in notarial terms?
Answer: A public declaration by a person that the execution of an
instrument was their free act and deed.
◉ What is the purpose of notarizing a document?
Answer: To protect the parties signing the document and ensure its
authenticity.
◉ What does HAR § 5-11-8 require from a notary?
Answer: To evidence every acknowledgment or jurat with a
certificate describing the document to prevent fraud.
◉ What is the definition of an oath?
Answer: A solemn pledge made by a person, often with an appeal to
God, to attest to the truth of their words.
◉ What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
,Answer: An oath appeals to a deity, while an affirmation is a solemn
declaration made without such appeal.
◉ What is a deposition in notarial terms?
Answer: Written testimony of a witness given under oath in advance
of a trial or hearing.
◉ What is a protest in notarial practice?
Answer: A formal declaration by a person expressing dissent or
disapproval regarding an act.
◉ What should a notary do if they have a personal interest in a
matter?
Answer: They should not certify to or act in that matter.
◉ Can a notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No, a notary should never notarize their own signature.
◉ What should a notary do if a document is in a foreign language?
Answer: Only notarize it if they have a thorough understanding of
that language.
◉ What is the notary's obligation to the public?
,Answer: To judge what acts constitute the practice of law and what
acts are notarial.
◉ What is the prescribed action if a notary is asked to prepare a
legal document?
Answer: They should obtain advice from an attorney unless they
have special training.
◉ What happens if the notary cannot communicate with the parties
in a document?
Answer: They should refer the parties to another notary who speaks
their language.
◉ What is the notary's duty regarding integrity and diligence?
Answer: A notary must perform their duties with integrity, diligence,
and skill.
◉ What is the notary's responsibility towards all affected parties?
Answer: The notary's duty extends beyond the individual they
directly serve.
◉ What is the significance of the notary's official seal?
Answer: It authenticates the notary's acts and the documents they
certify.
, ◉ What is the role of the notary public revolving fund?
Answer: To deposit fees received for services rendered in
governmental matters.
◉ What should a notary do if they encounter a document that
requires legal advice?
Answer: Refer the matter to an attorney for guidance.
◉ What is the consequence of notarizing a document improperly?
Answer: It could lead to fraud or the use of altered documents.
◉ What is required for a notary to administer oaths or take
acknowledgments in non-governmental matters?
Answer: The head of the department must deem it an urgent
necessity.
◉ What is the maximum number of pages a notary must list for each
notarized document?
Answer: They must specify the number of pages in close proximity
to the acknowledgment.
◉ What is the general rule regarding notarization of documents in
foreign languages?
