Notary Public Guide
Hawaii Notary Public Exam 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Hawaii Notary Public commission — from the online application to the written examination and filing your surety bond. Hawaii is unique: the Department of the Attorney General oversees all notaries (not the Secretary of State), and a written exam with an 80% passing score is required. Ready to start practicing? Try FREE practice questions from our Hawaii sample tests.
Role of a Notary Public
A Hawaii Notary Public is a public official appointed by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents and to deter fraud. Hawaii is one of the few states where the Attorney General — not the Secretary of State — administers the entire notary program.
This is a statewide commission. Once appointed, you can perform notarial acts anywhere within the State of Hawaii. Your primary duties include verifying the identity of document signers, ensuring they sign voluntarily and understand what they are signing, and administering oaths and affirmations.
Unlike many states, Hawaii requires applicants to pass a written examination as part of the commission process. The exam is closed-book and covers Hawaii statutes, rules, and the practical duties of a notary. You must score at least 80% to pass.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Hawaii Notary Public commission, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Residency: You must be a resident of the State of Hawaii.
Application: You must complete and submit the official online application through the Attorney General's notary portal at notary.ehawaii.gov.
Examination: You must pass the written notary examination with a score of at least 80%.
Surety Bond: You must provide a $1,000 surety bond obtained from an insurance or surety company licensed to do business in Hawaii.
Good Character: You must be of good moral character. Certain criminal convictions may be disqualifying. The Attorney General reviews each application individually.
There is no mandatory education course required before taking the exam, but the Attorney General provides the official Notary Public Manual as the primary study resource. The exam is drawn directly from this manual.
Scheduling Your Exam
The Hawaii Notary Public exam is administered by the Department of the Attorney General. The exam is offered at least once per month on Oahu, with periodic sessions held on the neighbor islands (Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai).
How to Schedule:
- First, submit your application online at notary.ehawaii.gov.
- Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive instructions for scheduling the exam.
- View upcoming exam dates at the Exam Scheduler.
- Contact the Notary Public Office at (808) 586-1500 or email ATG.Notary@hawaii.gov for questions.
Because the exam is only offered monthly on Oahu and less frequently on neighbor islands, it is critical to submit your application early and secure a spot as soon as one becomes available. Neighbor island applicants may need to travel to Oahu or wait for a local session.
What the Exam Covers
The Hawaii Notary Public exam is a written, closed-book examination. It tests your knowledge of the statutes, rules, and practical duties governing notaries public in Hawaii. All exam content is based on the official Hawaii Notary Public Manual (PDF) published by the Attorney General.
Hawaii Notary Statutes (HRS Chapter 456): The core laws governing notary appointments, duties, fees, records, and prohibited acts.
Notarial Acts: How to properly perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, and copy certifications under Hawaii law.
Identification of Signers: Acceptable forms of ID, credible identifying witnesses, and the process for verifying a signer's identity.
Journal Requirements: What must be recorded in the notary journal, retention periods, and the rules for surrendering or destroying a journal.
Seal Requirements: Specifications for the official rubber stamp seal, including dimensions, required text, and proper use.
Fees and Prohibited Acts: Maximum fees allowed by law ($5 per act), conflicts of interest, and the consequences of misconduct or unauthorized practice.
The exam is drawn directly from the Notary Public Manual. Reading the manual carefully — especially the sections on proper certificate language and prohibited conduct — is the single most important thing you can do to prepare.
Application & Exam Fees
The Attorney General charges separate fees for the application, the exam, and the commission issuance. All fees are paid online through the ehawaii.gov notary portal.
Application Fee: $20
Paid when you submit your initial application. Non-refundable.
Exam Fee: $10
Paid to sit for the written examination. Non-refundable.
Commission Issuance Fee: $100
Paid only after you pass the exam. This fee covers the cost of issuing your four-year commission certificate.
Circuit Court Filing Fee: ~$6
Paid to the circuit court when you file your oath of office and surety bond.
Additionally, you will need to obtain a $1,000 surety bond, which typically costs $50–$130 from a licensed surety company for the full four-year term.
Your official notary rubber stamp seal will cost approximately $20–$40 from a commercial stamp vendor. The total cost of becoming a Hawaii notary is roughly $200–$270 all-in.
Exam Day
The Hawaii notary exam is administered in person at the Attorney General's office or an approved testing location. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
What to Bring:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID).
- Your exam confirmation or registration number.
- A pen — the exam is a written, paper-based test.
No open books, notes, or study materials are permitted during the exam. The test is strictly closed-book. Electronic devices must be put away for the duration of the session.
Your exam results will be mailed to you via written notice within 30 calendar days of the examination date. Results are not provided on-site or electronically.
Passing Score
The passing score for the Hawaii Notary Public written exam is 80%.
80%
Minimum score required to pass the written examination.
Hawaii's 80% threshold is higher than most states (California, for example, requires only 70%). This makes thorough preparation essential. The Attorney General publishes sample notary questions on its website — reviewing these alongside the Notary Manual is highly recommended.
If You Pass
You will receive written notification of your passing score by mail within 30 calendar days. Once you receive your results, you must complete the following steps before your commission is active:
Step 1 — Pay the Commission Issuance Fee: Submit the $100 commission fee through the online portal. The Attorney General will then issue your commission certificate.
Step 2 — Obtain a $1,000 Surety Bond: Purchase a surety bond from an insurance or surety company licensed in Hawaii. The bond must cover the full four-year commission term.
Step 3 — File Oath of Office and Bond: Appear before a circuit court judge or clerk (or other authorized official) to take your oath of office, and file your oath and surety bond with the circuit court. A small filing fee (~$6) applies.
Step 4 — Obtain Your Seal: Once your commission is active, order your official rubber stamp seal from a commercial vendor. You cannot perform notarial acts without an authorized seal.
You are not authorized to perform notarial acts until all of the above steps are complete and your commission is officially active.
If You Fail
If you do not achieve an 80% or higher, you will receive a written notice of your score within 30 calendar days. You are permitted to retake the exam, but you must re-register and pay the $10 exam fee again.
There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts specified in the statute, but exam sessions are only offered monthly on Oahu and less frequently on neighbor islands, so a retake in practice means waiting for the next available session.
Focus your review on the sections of the Notary Public Manual you found most challenging. Use our Hawaii practice tests to identify weak areas, particularly around certificate language, journal entries, and the prohibited acts provisions of HRS Chapter 456.
Surety Bond & Oath of Office
Hawaii requires a $1,000 surety bond for the full four-year commission term. This bond amount is notably lower than most states, but it is still a legal requirement.
⚠️ Bond Must Be Filed Before Performing Any Acts
Your commission is not active until you have paid the commission issuance fee, taken your oath of office, and filed your surety bond with the circuit court. Performing notarial acts before your commission is active is a violation of Hawaii law.
The surety bond protects the public, not you. If a claim is successfully made against your bond due to your misconduct or error, the surety company will pay the claimant and then seek reimbursement from you personally.
Surety bonds for Hawaii notaries are widely available online and typically cost $50–$130 for the four-year term from companies licensed to do business in Hawaii.
Notary Journal & Seal
Hawaii law requires every notary public to maintain both an official rubber stamp seal and a notary journal. These are mandatory, not optional.
The Seal
Must be a circular rubber stamp, not more than two inches in diameter, with a serrated or milled edge. The seal must contain:
- The notary's name
- The notary's commission number
- The words "Notary Public"
- The words "State of Hawaii"
The seal must be stamped using blue or black ink. A facsimile or electronic image of the seal may not be used for traditional (paper) notarizations.
The Journal
A Hawaii notary must maintain a sequential journal of all notarial acts performed. Each entry must include the date, type of act, description of the document, name and address of each signer, the form of identification used, and the fee charged.
Journals must be retained for 10 years after the last entry in that journal. Upon resignation, revocation of commission, or death, the journal must be delivered to the Attorney General.
Both the seal and the journal must be kept in a secure location when not in use. If your seal is lost or stolen, you must notify the Attorney General immediately.
Notarial Acts
Under HRS Chapter 456, Hawaii notaries are authorized to perform the following notarial acts:
Acknowledgments
The signer appears before the notary, is positively identified, and acknowledges that they signed the document as their free and voluntary act. Common for real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and contracts.
Jurats (Sworn Statements)
The signer swears or affirms that the contents of a document are true and signs in the notary's presence. The notary administers the oath or affirmation. Common for affidavits and sworn statements.
Oaths and Affirmations
Administered verbally when a person needs to make a sworn declaration without signing a document. An affirmation is a secular alternative to an oath.
Copy Certifications
A notary may certify that a copy of a document is a true, correct, and complete copy of the original. Hawaii notaries may not certify copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) or documents that can be certified by their official custodian.
Every notarial act must be completed with the signer personally present before the notary (or via an approved RON platform for remote online notarizations). Notarizing a document without personal appearance is a serious violation of Hawaii law.
Fees You Can Charge
Hawaii law sets a maximum fee that notaries may charge per notarial act:
Traditional (In-Person) Notarial Act
$5.00 maximum
Remote Online Notarization (RON) Act
$25.00 maximum
Charging more than the statutory maximum is a prohibited act and grounds for disciplinary action or revocation of your commission. Notaries may also charge for reasonable travel expenses when traveling to perform a notarial act, provided the signer agrees in advance.
You are never required to charge a fee — you may choose to notarize documents for free, which is common for employers who commission their employees as notaries.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Hawaii has authorized Remote Online Notarization (RON), allowing commissioned Hawaii notaries to notarize documents for signers who are not physically present by using live audio-visual technology. RON requires a separate commission from the Attorney General — your standard notary commission alone does not authorize you to perform RON.
To Become an eNotary (RON):
- Hold an active, valid Hawaii Notary Public commission.
- Apply for a separate RON commission via notary.ehawaii.gov and pay the $20 application fee and $10 exam fee.
- Complete the required eNotary training and pass the RON examination.
- Pay the $100 RON commission issuance fee upon passing.
- Contract with an approved RON technology provider that meets Hawaii's technical standards (audio-visual feeds, identity proofing, tamper-evident records, electronic journal and seal).
RON acts permissible in Hawaii include acknowledgments, jurats, and oaths or affirmations. The maximum fee for a RON act is $25 per act, compared to $5 for traditional in-person acts.
Your RON technology provider will supply the required electronic journal and electronic seal for online sessions. All RON sessions must be recorded and the recordings retained.
Renewing Your Commission
A Hawaii Notary Public commission is valid for 4 years. To renew, you must go through substantially the same process as a new applicant — including passing the written examination again.
Application: Submit a new application online and pay the $20 application fee.
Examination: Pass the written exam again with a score of 80% or higher. Pay the $10 exam fee.
Commission Fee: Pay the $100 commission issuance fee upon passing.
Surety Bond: Obtain and file a new $1,000 surety bond.
Oath: Take and file a new oath of office with the circuit court.
It is advisable to begin the renewal process 3–4 months before your commission expiresto account for exam scheduling delays, mail delivery of results, and processing time. There is no grace period — once your commission expires, you may not perform any notarial acts until a new commission is active.
Study Strategy
The Hawaii notary exam requires an 80% passing score on a closed-book written test. This is one of the more demanding thresholds in the country. Plan to spend at least 15–25 hours studying before your exam date.
1. Read the Notary Manual
Download the official Hawaii Notary Public Manual from the AG's website. Read it completely at least twice. Every exam question comes from this document.
2. Review Sample Questions
The Attorney General publishes official sample notary questions. Review these carefully — they reveal the exact phrasing and style of the exam.
3. Master HRS Chapter 456
Pay special attention to the statutory provisions: fees ($5 per act), prohibited acts, journal retention (10 years), and seal specifications.
4. Take Practice Tests
Use our Hawaii practice exams to simulate exam conditions and identify gaps in your knowledge before the real test day.
A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 90% or higher on our practice tests, you are well-positioned to clear the state's 80% passing threshold.
Practice Tests
The single most effective preparation strategy for the Hawaii notary exam is consistent practice under exam-like conditions. Because the test is closed-book and requires 80% to pass, you need to internalize the material — not just recognize it.
Our Hawaii Notary Practice Exams: You can take unlimited practice exams right here on our site. Our questions are based on the current Notary Public Manual and cover acknowledgments, jurats, journal requirements, seal rules, prohibited acts, and fees.
A good benchmark: aim for 90% or higher on practice tests before scheduling your actual exam. This buffer ensures you can handle unfamiliar or tricky phrasings and still clear the 80% passing score.
Quick Reference
| Governing Agency | Dept. of the Attorney General |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Residency Requirement | Hawaii resident |
| Education Course | Not required |
| Exam Format | Written, closed-book |
| Passing Score | 80% |
| Exam Results | Mailed within 30 calendar days |
| Application Fee | $20 |
| Exam Fee | $10 |
| Commission Issuance Fee | $100 |
| Circuit Court Filing Fee | ~$6 |
| Surety Bond | $1,000 (required) |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Max Fee per Act (In-Person) | $5 |
| Max Fee per Act (RON) | $25 |
| Journal Required | Yes — retain 10 years |
| Seal Required | Yes — circular rubber stamp |
| RON Available | Yes — separate commission required |
| Primary Law | HRS Chapter 456 |
| Online Portal | notary.ehawaii.gov |