HAWAII NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM PREP PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
EXPLANATIONS
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) 21 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 19 years old
Correct Answer: B – Hawaii law requires applicants to be at least 18
years old to be eligible for a notary public commission.
2. Which of the following is NOT a function of a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) Administering oaths
B) Witnessing the signing of documents
C) Providing legal advice
D) Taking acknowledgments of documents
Correct Answer: C – Notaries are prohibited from providing legal
advice; their statutory functions include administering oaths, witnessing
signatures, attesting to identity, noting protests, and taking
acknowledgments.
,3. What does "alter" mean under Hawaii notary law?
A) To copy a document exactly
B) To change by erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion, or
transposition of content
C) To notarize a document
D) To store a document securely
Correct Answer: B – The definition of "alter" specifically includes
changes made by erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion of new
content, or transposition of content.
4. "Personally knowing" a signer means:
A) Having met the individual once
B) Having an acquaintance derived from association that establishes
identity with reasonable certainty
C) Knowing the signer's family members
D) Having a photograph of the signer
Correct Answer: B – The definition requires an acquaintance from
association that establishes identity with at least reasonable certainty.
5. What is required for "proof of the signer's signature and identity"?
A) A handwritten letter from the signer
B) A current ID card or document issued by the U.S., Hawaii, another
state, or a national government containing photo and signature
C) A utility bill with the signer's name
D) A verbal confirmation from a witness
Correct Answer: B – The law specifies a current identification card or
document containing the bearer's photograph and signature.
6. Who has the authority to appoint notaries public in Hawaii?
A) The Governor
,B) The Chief Justice
C) The Attorney General
D) The County Mayor
Correct Answer: C – The Attorney General may appoint and commission
notaries public as deemed necessary for the public good.
7. How long is the term of office for a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Two years
B) Five years
C) Four years
D) Three years
Correct Answer: C – The term is four years from the date of the
commission.
8. If a notary fails to renew on time knowingly, what may happen?
A) Automatic reissuance of commission
B) Commission may be forfeited
C) A fine is imposed immediately
D) Commission is extended by one year
Correct Answer: B – If the Attorney General finds the failure was
knowing, the commission may be forfeited; restoration is possible
within one year.
9. Who is responsible for renewing a notary's commission on a timely
basis?
A) The Attorney General
B) The Governor's office
C) Each notary public
D) The County Clerk
, Correct Answer: C – Each notary public shall be responsible for
renewing their own commission on a timely basis.
10. Within what period can a forfeited commission be restored by the
Attorney General?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 90 days
Correct Answer: B – Restoration is possible within one year after the
date of forfeiture upon compliance with renewal requirements and
payment of fees.
11. Which of the following is a power of the Attorney General
regarding notaries?
A) Issue notary public commissions
B) Administer oaths
C) Witness documents
D) Notarize signatures
Correct Answer: A – The Attorney General has the power to issue
notary public commissions to applicants.
12. The Attorney General may adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant
to which chapter?
A) Chapter 91
B) Chapter 456
C) Chapter 101
D) Chapter 50
Correct Answer: A – The Attorney General's rulemaking authority is
pursuant to Chapter 91.
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
EXPLANATIONS
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) 21 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 19 years old
Correct Answer: B – Hawaii law requires applicants to be at least 18
years old to be eligible for a notary public commission.
2. Which of the following is NOT a function of a notary public in
Hawaii?
A) Administering oaths
B) Witnessing the signing of documents
C) Providing legal advice
D) Taking acknowledgments of documents
Correct Answer: C – Notaries are prohibited from providing legal
advice; their statutory functions include administering oaths, witnessing
signatures, attesting to identity, noting protests, and taking
acknowledgments.
,3. What does "alter" mean under Hawaii notary law?
A) To copy a document exactly
B) To change by erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion, or
transposition of content
C) To notarize a document
D) To store a document securely
Correct Answer: B – The definition of "alter" specifically includes
changes made by erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion of new
content, or transposition of content.
4. "Personally knowing" a signer means:
A) Having met the individual once
B) Having an acquaintance derived from association that establishes
identity with reasonable certainty
C) Knowing the signer's family members
D) Having a photograph of the signer
Correct Answer: B – The definition requires an acquaintance from
association that establishes identity with at least reasonable certainty.
5. What is required for "proof of the signer's signature and identity"?
A) A handwritten letter from the signer
B) A current ID card or document issued by the U.S., Hawaii, another
state, or a national government containing photo and signature
C) A utility bill with the signer's name
D) A verbal confirmation from a witness
Correct Answer: B – The law specifies a current identification card or
document containing the bearer's photograph and signature.
6. Who has the authority to appoint notaries public in Hawaii?
A) The Governor
,B) The Chief Justice
C) The Attorney General
D) The County Mayor
Correct Answer: C – The Attorney General may appoint and commission
notaries public as deemed necessary for the public good.
7. How long is the term of office for a notary public in Hawaii?
A) Two years
B) Five years
C) Four years
D) Three years
Correct Answer: C – The term is four years from the date of the
commission.
8. If a notary fails to renew on time knowingly, what may happen?
A) Automatic reissuance of commission
B) Commission may be forfeited
C) A fine is imposed immediately
D) Commission is extended by one year
Correct Answer: B – If the Attorney General finds the failure was
knowing, the commission may be forfeited; restoration is possible
within one year.
9. Who is responsible for renewing a notary's commission on a timely
basis?
A) The Attorney General
B) The Governor's office
C) Each notary public
D) The County Clerk
, Correct Answer: C – Each notary public shall be responsible for
renewing their own commission on a timely basis.
10. Within what period can a forfeited commission be restored by the
Attorney General?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 90 days
Correct Answer: B – Restoration is possible within one year after the
date of forfeiture upon compliance with renewal requirements and
payment of fees.
11. Which of the following is a power of the Attorney General
regarding notaries?
A) Issue notary public commissions
B) Administer oaths
C) Witness documents
D) Notarize signatures
Correct Answer: A – The Attorney General has the power to issue
notary public commissions to applicants.
12. The Attorney General may adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant
to which chapter?
A) Chapter 91
B) Chapter 456
C) Chapter 101
D) Chapter 50
Correct Answer: A – The Attorney General's rulemaking authority is
pursuant to Chapter 91.
