How to Become a Notary in Hawaii (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

• Exam required: administered by the Department of the Attorney General
• $1,000 surety bond required (must be authorized by a circuit court judge)
• Application fee: $20 | Commission fee: $100 | Exam fee: $10 | Commission term: 4 years
• Notary stamp and journal both required
• Maximum fee: $5 per notarial act, $25 for RON
• Must be 18+, a Hawaii resident, and a US citizen or permanent resident
• RON available since January 2021

Becoming a Hawaii notary means an online application, a closed-book exam from the Attorney General’s office (80% to pass), a $100 commission fee, an engraved seal, and a $1,000 surety bond that a circuit court judge must personally authorize. Total cost runs about $191 to $251, the commission lasts four years, and renewal repeats the whole process, exam and bond included. No other state puts a judge in the middle of the bond.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Hawaii
• Be a US citizen or a permanent resident alien (must pursue citizenship when eligible)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Fill out the online application at notary.ehawaii.gov and provide the necessary supporting documents. This account will be used throughout the entire process.

Step 2: Pass the Notary Exam

If the Hawaii Attorney General’s notary office approves your application, you must pass a written, closed-book examination with a score of 80%. The test covers statutory laws, rules of procedure, and the duties and responsibilities of a notary public in Hawaii.

The Attorney General publishes a Notary Public Manual on their website. Study it thoroughly before taking the exam; it is the source the exam draws from.

Step 3: Pay Your Commission Fee and Get Your Seal

After passing the exam, submit the $100 commission fee to the Attorney General. You must have an official notary seal engraved with your name, commission number, and the words “Notary Public” and “State of Hawaii.”

Step 4: Obtain Your $1,000 Surety Bond (Circuit Court Authorization)

Purchase a $1,000 surety bond. The premium costs $30-$40. where Hawaii differs from every other state: a circuit court judge must authorize the bond. Once approved, file it with the clerk of the judicial circuit where you reside.

Step 5: File Your Commission Documents

All newly commissioned notaries must submit a photocopy of their commission certificate, an impression of their seal, and a sample of their official signature with the clerk of the circuit court where they reside. A filing fee applies.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Application fee	$20
Exam fee	$10
Commission fee	$100
Commission filing fee	$6
$1,000 surety bond premium	$30-$40
Notary stamp (required)	$15-$25
Notary journal (required)	$10-$50
Total	$191-$251

Government notaries are exempt from the application fee.

Maximum Allowable Fees

Hawaii law (HRS 456-16) sets the maximum fee at $5 per notarial act for traditional notarizations and $25 for remote online notarizations. There is no maximum travel fee for mobile notaries: just make sure it’s agreed upon in advance.

Authorized Notarial Acts

• Taking an acknowledgment
• Administering an oath, affirmation, or affidavit
• Taking a deposition
• Noting a protest

Notary Stamp Requirements

Hawaii requires all notaries to have an official seal. The seal must be engraved with your name, commission number, and the words “Notary Public” and “State of Hawaii.” This is not optional. You cannot perform notarizations without it.

Notarizing for Family Members

Hawaii does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. However, you should avoid any notarization where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction. As with all states, notarizing a document where you are a named party is not permitted.

Penalties for Misconduct

Performing a notarial act without a valid commission is a misdemeanor in Hawaii. Failing to submit your surety bond may result in suspension or revocation of your commission. False notarization can result in criminal forgery charges.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Not required, but recommended. E&O insurance protects you personally if a mistake or negligence claim arises during your duties. Compare policies and make sure the coverage applies to all duties you perform as a Hawaii notary.

Renewal

Hawaii notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application. You must retake the exam and submit a new bond. There is no grace period; you cannot notarize after your commission expires.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Hawaii authorized RON effective January 1, 2021. To perform RON, you must already be a commissioned notary, use a state-approved RON provider, register for and pass the RON exam, pay a $10 application fee, and submit an application to the Department of the Attorney General.

Becoming a Signing Agent

After receiving your commission, add signing agent work through a certification program and registration with the major signing services. Hawaii’s real estate market keeps demand steady. Our guide to becoming a signing agent covers the training options, and the Alaska commissioning guide covers the other end of the non-contiguous states.

Three things make Hawaii unusual: the circuit court judge’s role in authorizing the bond, the $5 per-act fee cap (among the lowest in the country), and an exam requirement shared by only a small group of states, such as California, New York, and Louisiana.

Your Commission Belongs to You

A Hawaii commission is personal. If you leave a job, your seal, journal, and commission go with you, and no employer can require you to skip proper procedure or limit your notary work to company business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General Notary Public Manual and HRS Chapter 456.