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This web service was developed by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General's Notary Office.

This service allows you to:

  • Apply online for Notary Public Commission
  • Use the exam scheduler
  • Make payments
  • View your notary account information
  • Submit renewal requests
  • Submit resignation of commission form

Note: As of 07/01/2017, the Notary Office only accepts online applications for Notary Public Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Type in a field to find a question or browse the lists below.

Top Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is this website for?

    This provides online services so you can apply for Notary Public Commission. You can also manage renewals, payments, and examination scheduling.

  • How do I get started?

    To get started, log in with your eHawaii.gov account. What's this?

  • Is there a paper application?

    As of 07/01/2017, we only accept Notary Public application online.

  • Where can I learn more about Notary Public and this service?

    Read about Online Notary on our Help page. For more general information about public notary, visit our Notary Office website .

  • What is the date of the next exam?

    Exams on Oahu are usually held on every second Wednesday of each month. For neighbor islands, the exams are held quarterly. Please refer to the Exam Schedule. Exam dates are posted in the online Notary Scheduler.

  • I changed my resident/business address. What do I do?

    Any change in resident/business address must be notified to our office within 30-days of the change. Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your resident/business changes. You may continue to notarize. You will be contacted only if there is a problem.

  • How do I resign my commission?

    Please login and access your My Account information and Commission Information. Complete the Resign Commission request with your name, effective date of resignation, reason for resignation, number of notary books*, and island of residence. Please submit your notary seal, commission certificate, and your signed resignation form to the Notary Public Office. You may either mail them or drop them off during our office hours.

    *Notarial Record books must be kept for 10 years.

  • I have changed my name (through marriage/divorce)? What should I do?

    Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your name change and submit supporting documentation (marriage license/divorce decree) showing your name change to our office. You may continue to notarize under your old name until your name change is processed (may take up to one month to process).

  • My renewal is coming up and I haven't received my renewal application.

    Did you have a change in your email address and failed to change it online or notify our office? Your email notification may have been sent to an old email address. Renewal notifications are sent via email 60 days prior to expiration date prompting you to renew your commission online. Please login and confirm your My Account information is current.

  • My commission has expired. Am I still able to renew?

    You may renew your commission within one year past your commission expiration date. There is a $90 fee that applies for a late renewal application and restoration of a forfeited commission.

  • My commission has expired, and it's been over a year. Am I still able to renew?

    No, you will have to reapply as a new applicant and retake the exam. You will also have to turn in your seal and record books from your past commission if you haven't turned them in yet.

  • I have resigned my commission X years ago. How do I become a commissioned notary again?

    You will have to reapply as a new applicant and retake the exam. You will also have to turn in your seal and record books from your past commission if you haven't turned them in yet.

  • Where can I get the Notary Public Bonds?

    You can get them through bonding or insurance companies.

  • Where can I get the notary seals?

    You can get them through stamp or engraving companies.

  • Am I allowed to have more than one notary seal?

    No, you're allowed to have only one seal, one rubber stamp seal. If you possess more than one seal, you must turn in the one you won't be using to our office.

  • Where can I get the notary record books?

    You can get them at stationary stores, such as OfficeMax, Office Depot, Fisher's (Oahu only), or Conrad Enterprises (Oahu only).

Questions about the Notary rules

  • What should I do with my old seal or stamp?

    You must turn in the old stamp to the Notary Public Office, along with your new seal or stamp. Notaries can only have one stamp at a time. If you wish, however, you may mail or hand-deliver your old seal or stamp to the Department of the Attorney General Notary Public Office, 425 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.

  • Do I need to submit an impression of my new seal or stamp to the Circuit Court where I reside?

    Yes. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 456-4 requires that each notary file an impression of the notary's seal/stamp with the Circuit Court where the notary resides. You will need to file an impression of your new seal or stamp with the Circuit Court to replace the impression of your old seal or stamp that you now have on file with the Circuit Court. You should also mail or hand-deliver an impression of your new seal or stamp to the Department of the Attorney General Notary Public Office at 425 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, for our files.

  • What information should be in the certificate?

    HAR § 5-11-8 states that the notary's "acknowledgment or jurat shall be evidenced by a certificate signed and dated by the notary." HRS §456-21 states that the notarial certificate should include (1) the date of notarization and signature of the notary public; (2) the printed name, date of expiration, and stamp or seal of the notary public; and (3) identification of the jurisdiction in which the notarial act is performed.

    If you are filing with the Bureau of Conveyances or Land Court, there are additional requirements for information to be included in the certificate. HAR § 13-16-7 states that the assistant registrar shall not record any document unless is contains or has endorsed upon it the address of the grantee, the type of document and the number of pages.

  • Do I need to apply my seal or stamp to the certificate?

    If the certificate is separate from the jurat or acknowledgment itself, it needs to be separately sealed or stamped, as in the example on our “Important Information” page. However, as noted above, the certificate does not need to be separate from the jurat or acknowledgment, as long as the information specified in HAR § 5-11-8 is provided.

  • What if there is no room for the notary certificate on the page with the jurat/acknowledgment?

    HAR § 5-11-8 states that the description of the document being notarized be "in close proximity to the acknowledgment or jurat." It is best to include the description of the document on the same page and in "close proximity" to or included in the acknowledgment or jurat. If you use a separate certificate, and there is no room for that certificate on the page on which the acknowledgment or jurat is contained, indicate on that page that there is a notary certificate on the next page, such as by typing: "Notary Certificate on next page."

  • Can I charge for the notary certificate, above and beyond allowed fees?

    No, such an additional charge is not permitted.

  • What should I write on the certificate for the date of a document that is undated?

    You should write "undated at time of notarization" or the date of notarization.

  • Do HRS Chapter 456, HAR Chapter 5-11 or Act 54 have other new provisions relating to notaries in addition to those discussed in these FAQs?

    Yes. We suggest that you read HRS Chapter 456, HAR Chapter 5-11 and Act 54 in full.

  • If I change my employment after I become a notary, may I take my notary (including the seal or stamp, and notary record book) with me to my new employer?

    Yes. Although your former employer may have paid for your bond or commission fees, the notary commission is personal to you not your employer. You are personally responsible for the safekeeping of your seal or stamp, and notary book. You may not "pass it on" or transfer your record book to anyone, including your former employer. The only time you should give up possession of your stamp or seal, and record books is when you surrender them to us upon resignation or the end of your commission period.

General Notary questions

  • How do I become a notary in Hawaii?

    You must:

    1) Complete and submit an online application (make sure to have two letters, one justification and one character; with $20.00 application fee payment as required by § 5-11-46, Hawaii Administrative Rules.
    2) have your application approved;
    3) pass a written examination;
    4) provide a $1,000 surety bond to the satisfaction of the State; and
    5) pay all applicable fees.

  • Where can I get a surety bond?

    From an insurance company or surety bond company licensed in the State of Hawaii.

  • Where is the Notary Public Office (NPO) and when is the NPO open?

    Department of the Attorney General
    Notary Public Office
    425 Queen Street
    Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

    Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. However, occasionally our office may be closed for the day or closed earlier than the time specified, so please call ahead at (808) 586-1216 or email our office at ATG.notary@hawaii.gov (If you are dropping off a notarial seal, notarial book(s), resignation forms, or application or renewal forms, you may simply leave them with the receptionist before 4:00 p.m.)

  • When and where is the written examination administered?

    After your application is approved you will receive a notice to schedule an exam. You can schedule the exam online in the Notary Exam Scheduler. Please refer to the Exam Schedule for further info on exam schedules and locations or access the online Notary Scheduler for available exam dates and times.

  • I took the written examination last week and did not hear anything from the NPO yet, and I am interested in knowing whether I passed or failed. Should I call for my results?

    Please do not call the NPO for examination results. You will receive a written notice in the mail within 30 calendar days of the examination informing you of your test results and instructions on what to do next.

  • How long is the term of a Hawaii notary public commission?

    Four years.

  • Do I need to file anything at the Circuit Court?

    You must file:

    1. a photocopy of your commission;
    2. an impression of your notary seal and specimen of your official signature; and
    3. the original bond which has to be approved by a Judge of the Circuit Court in the circuit in which you reside before you can begin notarizing documents.

  • I have documents that are going overseas. Can I get them certified or authenticated at the NPO?

    No. Only the Office of the Lieutenant Governor may do so. You may call that office at (808) 586-0255 for more information.

  • Can I notarize in another state or country?

    No, You are ONLY commissioned to notarize in the State of Hawaii; therefore, you can only perform duties in the State of Hawaii, which includes the First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Molokini and Molokai), Third Circuit (Hawaii), and Fifth (Kauai and Niihau).

  • Can I notarize documents from another state or country?

    Yes, if you ensure the signer is present and properly identified. Please see the next question regarding documents in foreign languages.

  • Should I notarize a document in a foreign language?

    Only if you have a thorough understanding of the foreign language in which the document is written. Also, you should not notarize a document written in English if the parties to the document who appear before you do not appear to speak, read, or understand English. You should refer the parties to a notary who speaks the foreign language, or to the foreign consulate, or to an attorney. (You may visit our Notary Office website for a listing of bilingual notaries.)

  • Should I notarize a document that has corrections or erasures?

    If there are changes to the document, you should call them to the attention of the person whose signature on the document is being acknowledged. If the person approves the changes, you should place your initials in the margin of the document next to each erasure or change. It is advisable to have the person to whom the document pertains place the person's initials by each change also.

  • What type of identification (ID) is required in order to notarize a document, and does the ID have to be valid?

    The ID must be a current ID card or document issued by the United States, this State, or any other state, or a national government that contains the bearer's photograph and signature (e.g., a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or a passport).

  • The person presenting the document looks like the picture on the person’s ID, but the name on the document does not match the name on the person's ID. What should I do?

    You should not notarize the document. You must satisfy yourself that the person appearing before you is the person identified in the document.

  • A couple appeared before me (both of whom were required to sign a document) and only the husband presented me with a valid ID. His wife did not have an ID with her, but the husband vouched for her. Can I notarize the document?

    You may notarize for the husband only if there are two separate acknowledgments. If there is only one acknowledgment, then you may ask them to come back another time with both their IDs. A notary must be satisfied of the identity of each person appearing before the notary. Please refer to question #15 for acceptable forms of identification.

  • Five years ago, a notary notarized a document with my parents' signature, but my parents swear they don't recall signing any such document and have never met this particular notary. Wouldn't my parents have to sign the notary's notarial record book, if indeed my parents appeared before the notary?

    Yes. Every notary must record at length in a book of records all acts, protests, depositions, and other things by the notary noted or done in the notary's official capacity. For each official act, the notary must enter in the book:

    1. the type, date, and time of day of the notarial act;
    2. the title or type and date of the document or proceeding;
    3. the signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each witness;
    4. other parties to the instrument; AND
    5. the manner in which the signer was identified.

  • Can I look at the notary's record book? What is the procedure?

    Yes. You may view the notary's notarial record books by first sending to the NPO a written request with any information you may have, such as the name of the notary public, the type of transaction, the date, and the signer's name. Depending upon the date of the record book, the record book may be in storage or still in the possession of the notary. Once we have all the information, we will check our records for the particular notary public.

  • A lady came with a photocopy of a Power of Attorney to have a document notarized on behalf of her parents. Can I notarize her documents?

    No. She must present you with an original or certified copy of the Power of Attorney. (Make sure the document states on the Power of Attorney that she has the power to exercise on behalf of her parents.)

  • Can I certify a copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or a passport?

    No, you may not.

  • When do I use a jurat and when do I use an acknowledgment?

    For an acknowledgment, the notary certifies that the signer personally appeared before the notary. The signer is positively identified and acknowledges signing the document of the signer's own free act and deed. For a jurat, the notary certifies that the signer personally appeared before the notary. The signer is positively identified and, after signing the document in the notary's presence, takes an oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the document are true.

  • The document I am being asked to notarize has no place on the document to do the notarization. What should I do?

    If there is no room on the document to do the notarization or to evidence the acknowledgment or jurat with a certificate as specified in § 5-11-8, Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”), indicate on the signature page that there is a notarization and a notary certification on the next page, such as by typing: "Notary Certificate on next page."

  • What should I do if I change my address or employer?

    Any change in resident/business address must be notified to our office within 30-days of the change. Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your resident/business changes. You may continue to notarize. You will be contacted only if there is a problem.

  • I recently got married/divorced, and my last name has changed. What should I do?

    Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your name change and submit supporting documentation (marriage license/divorce decree) showing your name change to our office. You may continue to notarize under your old name until your name change is processed (may take up to one month to process).

  • My commission will expire soon. How do I renew my commission?

    You will need to renew your traditional notary commission online. Renewal notifications are sent via email 60 days prior to expiration date prompting you to renew your commission online. Please visit notary.ehawaii.gov to login and access your account. Under Notary Services, a renewal link will direct you to renew your commission. The commission of a notary public is forfeited if the notary public knowingly fails to submit a completed renewal application, pay the renewal fee, or complete the processing and filing of a commission for a renewal by the date of expiration of the notary public’s commission. A failure to renew shall be deemed knowingly if notice of renewal is sent electronically and the notary public fails to complete all these requirements. Any person seeking to restore the person’s forfeited commission more than year from the date of expiration of the commission shall reapply as new applicant for a notary public commission.

  • My commission expires tomorrow, but I haven't renewed my commission online. If I renew my commission online today, will my new commission be ready tomorrow? Can I continue to notarize?

    No, for both questions. New commission may take approximately one to two weeks to process. Once you renew your commission online, you’ll receive a notification of Renewal of Notary Public Commission letter via email. You will find information to obtain your surety bond and steps to complete the renewal process. No bond required if you are a government notary. You will need to email a copy of your notarized bond to atg.notary@hawaii.gov for review. You will be contacted if there’s a problem. The Notary Public Office will mail the commission packet once reviewed and approved. Commission papers must be taken to the circuit court to be filed and approved.

    For your information, there is a waiting period of approximately fourteen calendar days for approval of the bond by the judge. Any notarial act performed after the termination, revocation, or suspension of a commission subjects the notarial act to a question or contest of validity.

  • As a general notary public, I know that I am to be available for the good and convenience of the general public for notarizations. May I ever refuse or decline to notarize a document?

    As a notary public, you may refuse or decline to notarize a document or documents if:

    1. there are any laws or rules that may be violated;
    2. you have reason to believe that the document contains deceptive or fraudulent information;
    3. the signer does not have a valid ID;
    4. there are blank spaces in the document and the signer tells you that they will be filled out after notarization;
    5. the signer appears to not understand what the signer is signing; or
    6. the signer is being pressured or coerced into signing the document.

  • Where can I find information and laws regarding notaries public in the State of Hawaii?

    Information and laws can be found in the following sources:

    1. Chapter 456, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), as well as HRS §§ 502-46, 502-48 to 502-84, 603-1, 621-12, and 621-13; HAR Chapter 5-11; and Act 175, 2008 Haw. Sess. Laws; and Act 54, 2020 Haw. Sess. Laws. Links to most of these laws are accessible through the NPO website; and
    2. the Notary Public Manual, which is also accessible through the NPO website.

  • What is "authentication"? What is an "apostille"?

    Authentication is the process of proving the "genuineness" of a notary public's official seal and signature. For documents sent out of the state: When documents that are notarized in the State of Hawaii are then sent to another state or U.S. jurisdiction, proof may be required to show that the notary's seal and signature are genuine and that the notary had authority to act (i.e. the notary had a valid notary commission) at the time of notarization of the document. In Hawaii, one proves the genuineness of a notary's notarization by attaching an "authenticating certificate" obtained from the court to the document certifying that the notary's seal and signature are genuine. Authentication is accomplished by comparing the notary's seal on the document in question with the notary's specimen card that is on file at the circuit court where the notary resides.
    For documents sent out of the country: Notarized documents to be sent out of the country may require a "chain of authentication process" whereby certificates need to be obtained from a Circuit Court Clerk and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. In addition, it may be necessary to obtain separate authenticating certificates from the U.S. Department of State as well as ministries of the foreign nation to which the document(s) is/are being sent.
    An apostille is a special authenticating certificate issued by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, which is necessary to ensure the acceptance of a document's notary seal and signature of the notary notarizing the document. Nations that subscribe to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents Treaty, require an apostille for notarial acts. Apostilles may be obtained from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor by specifically requesting one and indicating to which nation the document will be sent. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor requires that a circuit court authenticating certificate be attached to the document prior to requesting an apostille. To request an apostille, contact the:
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor
    State Capitol, 5th
    Floor (415 South Beretania Street)
    P.O. Box 3226
    Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
    Telephone: 1-808-586-0255
    Websites:
    http://hawaii.gov/ltgov/contact
    http://hawaii.gov/ltgov/office/apostilles

  • If I have notarized an original document, and also several copies of that same document, must I make a separate journal entry for each copy I notarized, in addition to the original?

    This Question is governed by Section 456-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, entitled Record; copies as evidence, which states:
    "Every notary public shall record at length in a book of records all acts, protests, depositions, and other things, by the notary noted or done in the notary's official capacity. For each official act, the notary shall enter in the book:

    1. The type, date, and time of day of the notarial act;
    2. The title or type and date of the document or proceeding;
    3. The signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each witness;
    4. Other parties to the instrument; and
    5. The manner in which the signer was identified."

    This means that each notarial act, including notarizations of multiple copies of the same document, must be individually recorded in the notary public's record book, without exception. There is no provision for failing to record the full details of each notarization for the sake of convenience, even if the instruments notarized are copies of an original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Type in a field to find a question or browse the lists below.

Top Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is this website for?

    This provides online services so you can apply for Notary Public Commission and Remote Online Notary Public Commission. You can also manage renewals, payments, and examination scheduling.

  • How do I get started?

    To get started, log in with your eHawaii.gov account. What's this?

  • Is there a paper application?

    We only accept Remote Online Notary Public applications online.

  • Where can I learn more about Notary Public and this service?

    Read about Online Notary on our Help page. For more general information about public notary, visit our Notary Office Website .

  • What is the date of the next exam?

    Exams on Oahu are usually held on every second Wednesday of each month. For neighbor islands, the exams are held quarterly. Please refer to the Exam Schedule. Exam dates are posted in the online Notary Scheduler.

  • I changed my resident/business address. What do I do?

    Any change in resident/business address must be notified to our office within 30-days of the change. Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your resident/business changes. You may continue to notarize. You will be contacted only if there is a problem.

  • I have changed my name (through marriage/divorce)? What should I do?

    Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your name change and submit supporting documentation (marriage license/divorce decree) showing your name change to our office. You may continue to notarize under your old name until your name change is processed (may take up to one month to process).

  • My renewal is coming up and I haven't received my renewal application.

    Did you have a change in your email address and failed to change it online or notify our office? Your email notification may have been sent to an old email address. Renewal notifications are sent via email 60 days prior to expiration date prompting you to renew your commission online. Please login and confirm your Account information is current.

  • My commission has expired. Am I still able to renew?

    You may renew your commission within one year past your commission expiration date. There is a $90 fee that applies for a late renewal application and restoration of a forfeited commission.

  • I have resigned my commission X years ago. How do I become a commissioned notary again?

    You will have to reapply as a new applicant and retake the exam.

  • Where can I get the Remote Online Notary Public Bonds?

    You can get them through bonding or insurance companies.

  • Where can I get the Remote Online Notary journal?

    Your remote online notary vendor will provide the notary journal.

  • What information should be in the certificate?

    HAR §5-11-8 states that the notary’s "acknowledgment or jurat shall be evidenced by a certificate signed and dated by the notary." HRS §456-21 states that the notarial certificate should include (1) the date of notarization and signature of the notary public; (2) the printed name, date of expiration, and stamp or seal of the notary public; and (3) identification of the jurisdiction in which the notarial act is performed.

    If you are filing with the Bureau of Conveyances or Land Court, there are additional requirements for information to be included in the certificate. HAR § 13-16-7 states that the assistant registrar shall not record any document unless is contains or has endorsed upon it the address of the grantee, the type of document and the number of pages.

  • Can I charge for the notary certificate, above and beyond allowed fees?

    No, such an additional charge is not permitted.

  • What should I write on the certificate for the date of a document that is undated?

    You should write "undated at time of notarization" or date of notarization.

  • Do HRS Chapter 456, HAR Chapter 5-11 or Act 54 have other new provisions relating to notaries in addition to those discussed in these FAQs?

    Yes. We suggest that you read HRS Chapter 456, HAR Chapter 5-11 and Act 54 in full.

General Notary questions

  • How do I become a remote online notary in Hawaii?

    You must:

    1) Complete and submit an online application (make sure to have two letters, one justification and one character; with $20.00 application fee payments as required by § 5-11-46, Hawaii Administrative Rules
    2) have your application approved;
    3) pass a written examination;
    4) provide a $1,000 surety bond to the satisfaction of the State; and
    5) pay all applicable fees.

  • Where can I get a surety bond?

    From an insurance company or surety bond company licensed in the State of Hawaii.

  • Where is the Notary Public Office (NPO) and when is the NPO open?

    Department of the Attorney General
    Notary Public Office
    425 Queen Street
    Honolulu, HI 96813

    Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. However, occasionally our office may be closed for the day or closed earlier than the time specified, so please call ahead at (808) 586-1216 or email our office at ATG.notary@hawaii.gov.

  • When and where is the written RON examination administered?

    After your application is approved you will receive a notice to schedule an exam. You can schedule the exam online in the Notary Exam Scheduler. Please refer to the Exam Schedule for further info on exam schedules and locations or access the online Notary Scheduler for available exam dates and times.

  • I took the written examination last week and did not hear anything from the NPO yet, and I am interested in knowing whether I passed or failed. Should I call for my results?

    Please do not call the NPO for examination results. You will receive an email notification within 14 calendar days of the examination informing you of the test results and instructions on what to do next.

  • How long is the term of a Hawaii Remote Online Notary Public Commission?

    The commission expires on the same date of the underlying notary public commission.

  • Do I need to file anything at the Circuit Court?

    You must file:

    1. a photocopy of your remote online notary public commission certificate;
    2. the original bond which has to be approved by a judge of the Circuit Court in the circuit in which you reside before you can begin notarizing documents.

  • I have documents that are going overseas. Can I get them certified or authenticated at the NPO?

    No. Only the Office of the Lieutenant Governor may do so. You may call the office at (808) 586-0255 for more information.

  • Can I notarize in another state or country?

    No, You are ONLY commissioned to notarize in the State of Hawaii; therefore, you can only perform duties in the State of Hawaii, which includes the First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Molokini and Molokai), Third Circuit (Hawaii), and Fifth (Kauai and Niihau).

  • Can I notarize a document in a foreign language?

    Only if you have a thorough understanding of the foreign language in which the document is written. Also, you should not notarize a document written in English if the parties to the document who appear before you do not appear to speak, read, or understand English. You should refer the parties to a notary who speaks the foreign language, or to the foreign consulate, or to an attorney. (You may visit our Notary Office website for a listing of bilingual notaries.)

  • How do I identify the remotely located individual?

    You would either identify the remotely located individual through personal knowledge or credible witness pursuant to HAR §5-11-70 or by identity proofing through multi-factor authentication and knowledge-based authentication pursuant to HAR §5-11-69.

  • Can I look at the notary’s journal? What is the procedure?

    Yes. You may view the notary’s notarial journal by first sending to the NPO a written request with any information you have, such as the name of the notary public, the type of transaction, the date, and the signer’s name. Depending upon the date of the journal information, we will check our records for the particular notary public or request the journal from the notary public.

  • A lady came with a photocopy of a Power of Attorney to have a document notarized on behalf of her parents. Can I notarize her documents?

    No. She must present you with an original or certified copy of the Power of Attorney. (Make sure the document states on the Power of Attorney that she has the power to exercise on behalf of her parents.)

  • Can I certify a copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or a passport?

    No, you may not.

  • When do I use the jurat and when do I use acknowledgment?

    For an acknowledgment, the notary certifies that the signer personally appeared before the notary. The signer is positively identified and acknowledges signing the document of the signer’s own free act and deed. For a jurat, the notary certifies that the signer personally appeared before the notary. The signer is positively identified and, after signing the document in the notary’s presence, takes an oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the document are true.

  • What should I do if I change my address or employer?

    Any change in resident/business address must be notified to our office within 30-days of the change. Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your resident/business changes. You may continue to notarize. You will be contacted only if there is a problem.

  • I recently got married/divorced, and my last name has changed. What should I do?

    Please login and access your My Account information and complete the Edit My Account request with your name change and submit supporting documentation (marriage license/divorce decree) showing your name change to our office. You may continue to notarize under your old name until your name change is processed (may take up to one month to process).

  • My commission will expire soon. How do I renew my commission?

    You will need to renew your traditional notary and remote online notary commissions separately. Renewal notifications are sent via email 60 days prior to expiration date prompting you to renew your commission online. Please visit notary.ehawaii.gov to login and access your account. Under Notary Services, a renewal link will direct you to renew your commission. The commission of a notary public is forfeited if the notary public knowingly fails to submit a completed renewal application, pay the renewal fee, or complete the processing and filing of a commission for a renewal by the date of expiration of the notary public’s commission. A failure to renew shall be deemed knowingly if notice of renewal is sent electronically and the notary public fails to complete all these requirements. Any person seeking to restore the person’s forfeited commission more than year from the date of expiration of the commission shall reapply as new applicant for a notary public commission.

  • My commission expires tomorrow, but I haven’t renewed my commission online. If I renew my commission today, will my new commission be ready tomorrow? Can I continue to notarize?

    No, for both questions. New commission may take approximately one to two weeks to process. Once you renew your commission online, you’ll receive a notification of Renewal of Notary Public Commission letter via email. You will find information to obtain your surety bond and steps to complete the renewal process. No bond required if you are a government notary. You will need to email a copy of your notarized bond to atg.notary@hawaii.gov for review. You will be contacted if there’s a problem. The Notary Public Office will mail the commission packet once reviewed and approved. Commission papers must be taken to the circuit court to be filed and approved.

    For your information, there is a waiting period of approximately fourteen calendar days for approval of the bond by the judge. Any notarial act performed after the termination, revocation, or suspension of a commission subjects the notarial act to a question or contest of validity.

  • How do I resign as a remote online notary public?

    You officially resign and your remote online notary public commission is considered after you submit to the NPO: 1) a resignation letter; 2) the location of your journal and audio-visual recordings; and a declaration that the electronic notary seal was disabled with the date and manner in which the device is disabled.

  • As a general notary public, I know that I am to be available for the good and convenience of the general public for notarizations. May I ever refuse or decline to notarize a document?

    As a notary public, you may refuse or decline to notarize a document or documents if:

    1. there are laws or rules that may be violated;
    2. you have reason to believe that the document contains deceptive or fraudulent information;
    3. the signer does not have a valid ID;
    4. there are blanks spaces in the document and the signer tells you that they will be filled out after notarization;
    5. the signer appears to not understand what the signer is signing
    6. the signer is being pressured or coerced into signing the document, or
    7. pursuant to HRS § 456-22.

  • Where can I find information and laws regarding notaries public in the State of Hawaii?

    Information and laws can be found in the following sources:

    1. Chapter 456, Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS"), as well as HRS §§ 502-46, 502-48 to 502-84, 603-1, 621-12, and 621-13l; HAR Chapter 5-11; Act 175, 2008 Haw. Sess. Laws; and Act 54, 2020 Haw. Sess. Laws. Links to most of these laws are accessible through the NPO website; and
    2. the Notary Public Manual, which is also accessible through the NPO website.

  • What is "authentication"? What is an "apostille"?

    Authentication is the process of proving the "genuineness" of a notary public's official seal and signature. For documents sent out of the state: When documents that are notarized in the State of Hawaii are then sent to another state or U.S. jurisdiction, proof may be required to show that the notary's seal and signature are genuine and that the notary had authority to act (i.e. the notary had a valid notary commission) at the time of notarization of the document. In Hawaii, one proves the genuineness of a notary's notarization by attaching an "authenticating certificate" obtained from the court to the document certifying that the notary's seal and signature are genuine. Authentication is accomplished by comparing the notary's seal on the document in question with the notary's specimen card that is on file at the circuit court where the notary resides.
    For documents sent out of the country: Notarized documents to be sent out of the country may require a "chain of authentication process" whereby certificates need to be obtained from a Circuit Court Clerk and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. In addition, it may be necessary to obtain separate authenticating certificates from the U.S. Department of State as well as ministries of the foreign nation to which the document(s) is/are being sent. An apostille is a special authenticating certificate issued by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, which is necessary to ensure the acceptance of a document's notary seal and signature of the notary notarizing the document. Nations that subscribe to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents Treaty, require an apostille for notarial acts. Apostilles may be obtained from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor by specifically requesting one and indicating to which nation the document will be sent. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor requires that a circuit court authenticating certificate be attached to the document prior to requesting an apostille. To request an apostille, contact the:
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor
    State Capitol, 5th
    Floor (415 South Beretania Street)
    P.O. Box 3226
    Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
    Telephone: 1-808-586-0255
    Websites:
    http://hawaii.gov/ltgov/contact
    http://hawaii.gov/ltgov/office/apostilles

  • If I have notarized an original document, and also several copies of that same document, must I make a separate journal entry for each copy I notarized, in addition to the original?

    This Question is governed by Section 456-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, entitled Record; copies as evidence, which states: "Every notary public shall record at length in a book of records all acts, protests, depositions, and other things, by the notary noted or done in the notary's official capacity. For each official act, the notary shall enter in the book:

    1. The type, date, and time of day of the notarial act;
    2. The title or type and date of the document or proceeding;
    3. The signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each witness;
    4. Other parties to the instrument; and
    5. The manner in which the signer was identified."
    This means that each notarial act, including notarizations of multiple copies of the same document, must be individually recorded in the notary public's record book, without exception. There is no provision for failing to record the full details of each notarization for the sake of convenience, even if the instruments notarized are copies of an original.

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