Exam results
Hawaii Notary Exam Results: Timing, Retakes, and Next Steps
Hawaii sends traditional notary examination results by written notice within 30 calendar days. A passing score completes the exam requirement, but you must finish the commission, bond, and Circuit Court filing steps before notarizing.
Reviewed August 2026. Always confirm current instructions with the official agencies linked below.
Passing score
80%
Result timing
Within 30 days
Delivery
Written notice
Immediate authority
No
How and when Hawaii sends results
The official FAQ instructs applicants not to call the Notary Public Office for a result. A written notice is mailed within 30 calendar days of the traditional notary examination and includes the result and instructions for what to do next.
Keep the account and mailing address current so official communications reach you. The remote-online-notary examination follows a different result channel and timing, so use the instructions for the examination you actually took.
What an 80% passing score means
An 80% or higher score satisfies the written examination requirement. It does not activate a commission and does not authorize a person to perform a notarial act.
Follow the passing notice to order and pay for the commission. The official portal currently lists a $100 issuance fee for a traditional commission.
Steps after passing
After the commission is issued, obtain the required $1,000 surety bond. Before beginning notarial work, file the required materials with the Circuit Court in the circuit where you reside and ensure the bond is approved by a judge.
- Pay the commission issuance fee as instructed.
- Obtain the $1,000 bond in the commissioned name.
- File a photocopy of the commission with the Circuit Court.
- File the seal impression and specimen official signature.
- File the original bond for judicial approval.
- Obtain and secure a compliant seal and record book.
- Do not notarize until every activation step is complete.
If you do not pass
Use the result notice and online account instructions to arrange another examination and pay the applicable exam fee. Review missed concepts against official sources; do not rely on a recalled question as a substitute for the controlling rule.
Before rescheduling, practice closed-book until scores are consistently above the official threshold. Confirm whether the application remains active and follow any deadline stated by the office.
When to contact the Notary Public Office
Allow the full published result period and verify your address and account details. Contact the office through its official channel if the period has passed or the notice instructs you to provide additional information.
A practice-test provider cannot access an official score, change a result, or confirm that a commission is active.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Hawaii notary exam results take?
The official FAQ says a written notice is mailed within 30 calendar days of the traditional examination.
What is the passing score?
The passing score is 80 percent.
Can I notarize as soon as I pass?
No. Commission issuance, the bond, and required Circuit Court filings must be completed first.
Can I retake the exam?
Follow the result notice and portal instructions to schedule and pay for another examination.
Official sources
Continue preparing
Practice the rules in exam-style scenarios and explore the rest of the Hawaii commissioning process.
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