Hawaii notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in Hawaii.

1. What is the minimum age for a Hawaii notary commission?

   1. 25
   2. 21
   3. 18
   4. 19
   Show the answer

   C. 18

   Manual, Qualifications.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Qualifications (ag.hawaii.gov)

2. Which citizenship status meets Hawaii's qualification?

   1. A U.S. citizen, or a national or permanent resident alien who diligently seeks citizenship when eligible
   2. A U.S. citizen only; permanent residents and nationals may not be commissioned in Hawaii
   3. Any person, of any status, who has lived in Hawaii for at least five continuous years
   4. Any person holding a valid U.S. work visa or permit, whether or not the person intends to seek U.S. citizenship later
   Show the answer

   A. A U.S. citizen, or a national or permanent resident alien who diligently seeks citizenship when eligible

   Manual, Qualifications; AG Notaries Public page.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Qualifications (ag.hawaii.gov)

3. Where must a Hawaii notary applicant live?

   1. Anywhere in the U.S.
   2. In Hawaii
   3. In Hawaii or California
   4. Within 50 miles of a court
   Show the answer

   B. In Hawaii

   Manual, Qualifications.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Qualifications (ag.hawaii.gov)

4. When does an applicant take the Hawaii notary exam?

   1. After the Attorney General approves the application
   2. Before filing the application online
   3. After the first year as a notary
   4. After the bond is filed at the circuit court
   Show the answer

   A. After the Attorney General approves the application

   Manual, Application.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Application (ag.hawaii.gov)

5. What kind of exam is the Hawaii notary exam?

   1. Open-book and online
   2. Oral, before a judge
   3. A practical skills test
   4. Written and closed-book
   Show the answer

   D. Written and closed-book

   Manual, Application; AG Notaries Public page.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Application (ag.hawaii.gov)

6. What score passes the Hawaii notary exam?

   1. 80 percent
   2. 70 percent
   3. 75 percent
   4. 85 percent
   Show the answer

   A. 80 percent

   Manual, Application.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Application (ag.hawaii.gov)

7. How long is a Hawaii notary commission?

   1. 10 years
   2. 4 years
   3. 2 years
   4. 6 years
   Show the answer

   B. 4 years

   Manual, Appointment and Tenure.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Appointment and Tenure (ag.hawaii.gov)

8. What bond must a Hawaii notary post before beginning duties?

   1. $10,000
   2. $15,000
   3. $1,000
   4. $5,000
   Show the answer

   C. $1,000

   Manual, Official Bond; HRS 456-5.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Official Bond (ag.hawaii.gov)

9. What shape is the Hawaii notary seal?

   1. Rectangular
   2. Circular
   3. Oval
   4. Square
   Show the answer

   B. Circular

   Manual, Notarial Seal.

   Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Notarial Seal (ag.hawaii.gov)

10. What is the largest diameter allowed for the Hawaii seal?

    1. 1.5 inches
    2. 1 inch
    3. 2 inches
    4. 3 inches
    Show the answer

    C. 2 inches

    Manual, Notarial Seal.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Notarial Seal (ag.hawaii.gov)

11. Which acts must a Hawaii notary record in the record book?

    1. Only acts for signers the notary did not know
    2. Only acknowledgments of deeds and other real estate documents
    3. All official acts, including protests and depositions
    4. Only acts for which the notary charged a fee
    Show the answer

    C. All official acts, including protests and depositions

    Manual, Notarial Record Book.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Notarial Record Book (ag.hawaii.gov)

12. Which detail must a record book entry include?

    1. The signer's employer
    2. The time of day of the act
    3. The signer's Social Security number
    4. The signer's date of birth
    Show the answer

    B. The time of day of the act

    Manual, Notarial Record Book; also type and date of act, document details, signers, ID and fee.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Notarial Record Book (ag.hawaii.gov)

13. A notary commissioned for an employer's work must also:

    1. Refuse outside work
    2. Serve only coworkers
    3. Serve the general public
    4. Charge double fees
    Show the answer

    C. Serve the general public

    Manual, Introduction.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Introduction (ag.hawaii.gov)

14. May a notary delegate notarial powers to a clerk or deputy?

    1. Yes, with written consent
    2. Yes, if the clerk is bonded
    3. Yes, for routine documents
    4. No; the powers are personal
    Show the answer

    D. No; the powers are personal

    Manual, Duties.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Duties (ag.hawaii.gov)

15. Where may a Hawaii notary perform notarial acts?

    1. Only within Hawaii
    2. Hawaii and Guam
    3. Only in the notary's circuit
    4. Anywhere in the U.S.
    Show the answer

    A. Only within Hawaii

    Manual, Jurisdiction.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Jurisdiction (ag.hawaii.gov)

16. May a Hawaii notary notarize on a Sunday or a holiday?

    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Only oaths
    4. Only with AG approval
    Show the answer

    A. Yes

    Manual, Date of Notarial Act.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Date of Notarial Act (ag.hawaii.gov)

17. What is the maximum fee for taking an acknowledgment?

    1. $5 for each party signing
    2. $2.50 per page
    3. $10 per document
    4. $25 per party
    Show the answer

    A. $5 for each party signing

    HRS 456-17; Manual, Fees Notaries May Charge.

    Source: HRS 456-17 (data.capitol.hawaii.gov)

18. What may a notary charge for administering an oath of loyalty?

    1. $10 per oath
    2. $5 per oath
    3. $2.50 per oath
    4. Nothing; no fee is allowed
    Show the answer

    D. Nothing; no fee is allowed

    Manual, Fees Notaries May Charge.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Fees Notaries May Charge (ag.hawaii.gov)

19. Who may apply for a Hawaii remote online notary (RON) commission?

    1. Only attorneys licensed in Hawaii
    2. Any notary from any state
    3. A notary with an active commission
    4. Anyone who passes a RON course
    Show the answer

    C. A notary with an active commission

    Manual, Remote Online Notaries Public; HAR 5-11-62.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Remote Online Notaries Public (ag.hawaii.gov)

20. When does a RON commission expire?

    1. Two years after the RON commission is issued
    2. It never expires once it is issued
    3. One year after the RON commission is issued
    4. On the same date as the notary commission
    Show the answer

    D. On the same date as the notary commission

    Manual; HAR 5-11-66.

    Source: Hawaii Notary Public Manual (rev. Oct. 2026), Remote Online Notaries Public (ag.hawaii.gov)

Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of Hawaii, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.