Hawaii notary commission
Hawaii notary commission: two letters, a closed-book exam and the Attorney General
Apply online at notary.ehawaii.gov for $20 with a letter of justification and a character letter, then pass the closed-book written exam with 80% or better ($10 per attempt). After you pass, pay the $100 commission fee, have a circuit court judge approve your $1,000 bond and file it with your circuit court clerk. The Attorney General commissions Hawaii notaries for four years.
Who the Attorney General commissions
- A US citizen, or a US national or permanent resident alien who diligently seeks citizenship when eligible.
- A resident of Hawaii, at least 18.
- A letter of justification: why you're applying, how many acts you expect, the kinds of documents, and confirmation you'll serve the general public. An officer or partner of your employer writes it; self-employed applicants write their own, and government employees need one from the head of each employing department.
- A character letter from a reputable Hawaii resident who isn't your employer or a relative, on your honesty, trustworthiness, financial integrity and moral character, with a phone number or email.
Source: Notaries Public, Department of the Attorney General; Notary Public Manual (August 2022).
Application, exam and bond in Hawaii
- Apply online with $20. At notary.ehawaii.gov, after you set up an eHawaii.gov account. The fee is nonrefundable.
- Pass the exam. Written and closed-book, 80% to pass, $10 per attempt. It's given monthly on Oahu and from time to time on the neighbor islands.
- Pay the $100 commission fee. After you pass.
- Get the $1,000 bond approved and filed. A circuit court judge approves it, and it's filed with the clerk of the circuit court where you live before you start (HRS 456-5).
- File your commission details. Promptly file a photocopy of your commission, a seal impression and a signature specimen with your circuit court clerk.
Source: Notary Public Services; HRS 456-5.
Hawaii's state fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $20 Nonrefundable. |
| Exam | $10 per attempt Closed-book, 80% to pass. |
| Commission | $100 Paid after you pass. |
| Renewal | $120 Every four years. |
| $1,000 bond premium | Set by surety Approved by a circuit court judge. |
| Change of office, occupation, residence or employment | $10 Reported in writing within 30 days. |
A first Hawaii commission costs $130 in Attorney General fees if you pass on the first try. The bond premium, the circuit court filing fee set by the Supreme Court, and the seal and record book are separate.
Source: Notary Public Services; Notaries Public, Department of the Attorney General.
HI starter kit · $29
Hawaii Notary Starter Kit
Hawaii's application, two letters, exam, $100 fee and circuit court bond steps, the HRS 456-17 fees and excise tax note, ID and record book rules, the seal, the separate remote commission, a checklist, a budget and record book pages.
Four years, and don't let it lapse
A Hawaii commission lasts four years from the commission date. The Attorney General generally acts within six months of a complete application, and one not completed within 90 days may be treated as abandoned.
Renew on time: a commission can be forfeited if you knowingly miss renewal, and more than one year after expiration you reapply as a new applicant. Report changes in office, occupation, residence or employment in writing within 30 days ($10).
Source: Notary Public Manual (August 2022); Notaries Public, Department of the Attorney General.
Hawaii's separate remote online notary commission
Remote online notarization in Hawaii takes its own commission, open only to notaries with an active commission. The application fee is $20, nonrefundable; the Manual lists $100 for a new remote commission, $120 for renewal and $90 for restoration.
Identity is checked by credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication: at least five questions with five choices each, 80% right within two minutes, one retry within 24 hours. Sessions run on continuous audio-video with a recording and an X.509 digital certificate for each act, and you keep the electronic journal and recording 10 years. The fee is up to $25 per remote act (HRS 456-17). Telephone notarizations are prohibited.
Source: Notary Public Manual (August 2022); HRS 456-17.
Hawaii fees, excise tax and the record book
HRS 456-17 allows $5 for each party signing an acknowledgment, $5 to administer an oath with the certificate, and $5 for a deposition or official certificate, with $2.50 for certain duplicate certificates. No fee is charged for an oath of loyalty. If you charge, you need a State general excise tax license and your fees are subject to that tax (Manual p. 14).
Record every official act. Record books are soft-covered, no larger than 11 by 16½ inches open, with consecutively numbered pages, and you keep them 10 years after you resign, your term ends or your commission is revoked. Your seal is a circular rubber stamp no more than 2 inches across with a serrated or milled edge, showing your name, commission number, "notary public" and "State of Hawaii".
Source: HRS 456-17; Notary Public Manual (August 2022).
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Hawaii notary questions
Is the Hawaii notary exam open book?
No. It's a written, closed-book exam, and you need 80% to pass. Each attempt costs $10.
Who commissions Hawaii notaries?
The Department of the Attorney General. The circuit court approves and keeps your $1,000 bond.
What letters does a Hawaii notary application need?
A letter of justification, usually from your employer, and a character letter from a reputable Hawaii resident who isn't your employer or a relative.
Do I need a tax license to charge notary fees in Hawaii?
Yes. The Attorney General's Manual says a notary who charges needs a State general excise tax license, and the fees are subject to that tax.
Can a Hawaii notary notarize over the phone?
No. Telephone notarizations are prohibited. A signer who isn't with you can be served only by a commissioned remote online notary.
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General information from official Hawaii sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Hawaii.