A notary public is someone who acts as a witness to the identity of a person who needs to get an official document signed. Notary publics must be commissioned or licensed in their county of residence, but they have statewide jurisdiction so they can notarize within any county in their state. Functions of a Hawaii Notary Public include:
- Administering oaths
- Witnessing the signing of documents
- Attesting to the identity of the signer of documents
- Noting protests
- Taking acknowledgments of documents
Ready to become a Hawaii notary? First, you’ll need to get your Hawaii Notary License and a Hawaii Notary Bond.
How to Become a Hawaii Notary Public
Step #1: Meet Initial Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be a Hawaii resident
For a complete list of qualifications, check out the Hawaii Notary Public Manual.
Step #2: Submit Hawaii Notary Application
You can do this:
- Online: Start an application online through the online notary portal.
- By Mail: Complete the Hawaii Notary Application. Include a $10 filing fee.
If applying via mail, send your completed application to the address below.
Department of the Attorney General
Notary Public Office
425 Queen Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Step #3: Take Exam
After approval by the Attorney General, you are required to take a written closed-book exam covering laws and rules that apply to being a Hawaii Notary Public. The passing score is 72 points or 80%.
Study for the test by downloading the Hawaii Notary Public Handbook.
You can register for your exam online at notary.ehawaii.gov.
Step #4: Pay Fees
You’ll receive your exam results within 30 days of taking your test. When you receive written notice from the state that you have passed, you’ll need to pay a $40 fee for the issuance of your commission. Make fees payable to the Attorney General.
Step #5: Purchase Hawaii Notary Bond
A Hawaii Notary Bond is a requirement to become a Hawaii Notary Public. A Hawaii Notary Bond protects the public from mistakes you make while performing your notarial duties during the term of your commission.
The Hawaii Notary Bond amount is set at $1,000.
You will not need to pay the full bond amount. Instead, you will just pay a small portion.
Step #6: Submit Bond and Take Oath
Once you have purchased your Hawaii Notary Bond, it must be approved by the judge of the circuit court in which you reside. Upon approval, you will be issued your Hawaii Notary Public Commission.
Hawaii Notary Term and Renewal
Your Hawaii Notary Public term lasts 4 years. At the end of this period, you may apply for a renewal. Your renewal application must be submitted within 2 months before the expiration date. You can renew online here.
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