How to Become a Hawaii Remote Online Notary (2026)

Only a person with an active Hawaii Notary Public commission may apply. Remote authority is an additional commission, not a substitute route around the traditional application and examination process.

The remote online notary must be physically located in Hawaii when performing the act, even if the remotely located signer is elsewhere.

Use the eHawaii.gov portal to submit the separate remote online notary application and $20 fee. After approval, schedule the RON examination and pay the $10 examination fee.

After passing, follow the portal instructions to order the remote online commission; the portal currently lists a $100 issuance fee. Its expiration aligns with the underlying traditional commission, so consider the remaining term before investing in technology.

Follow the Attorney General’s instructions for the separate remote online notary bond. The official FAQ says the remote commission certificate copy and original bond must be filed with the Circuit Court and the bond approved by a judge before remote acts begin.

Do not assume the traditional $1,000 bond automatically covers remote acts. Obtain the form and coverage required for the RON commission and verify commissioned names and dates.

Choose communication technology and identity-proofing procedures that satisfy Hawaii law and rules. The notary must be able to communicate with the remotely located individual through the approved audio-visual process and complete the correct electronic certificate.

Maintain the required electronic journal and audiovisual recordings, protect them against unauthorized access, and follow the required retention, backup, access, and disposition rules. A platform’s software does not transfer legal responsibility away from the commissioned notary.

For a traditional act, the signer appears physically before the notary. For a remote online act, appearance occurs through compliant communication technology under the separate RON authority.

Before accepting a remote assignment, confirm the document is eligible, the session can satisfy identity and recording requirements, and the requested act is permitted. If the process fails, stop rather than improvising around a safeguard.