Hawaii Notary Public Exam Overview
The Hawaii Notary Public Exam is administered on behalf of the Hawaii Attorney General's Office—unique among states that typically use the Secretary of State. Hawaii requires a mandatory record book for all notarial acts, which is a key topic on the exam.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a Hawaii Notary Public—serving nearly 1.5 million residents in the Aloha State with strong demand in real estate, tourism, and international business transactions.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 50 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 80% (40 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $50 |
| Education Required | Not required (self-study) |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $1,000 required |
Why Become a Hawaii Notary?
- Unique market — Tourism and international transactions
- Real estate demand — High-value property market
- Low bond requirement — Only $1,000 (lowest in nation)
- Attorney General administration — Unique structure
- Record book required — Professional documentation standard
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Hawaii resident
- United States citizen or lawful resident
- No disqualifying criminal history
- Apply through the Attorney General
Appointment Process:
- Submit application to Attorney General's Office
- Pay application fee
- Take and file oath of office
- Obtain $1,000 surety bond (lowest in nation)
- Commission begins upon filing
Attorney General Administration:
- Hawaii notaries administered through AG's Office
- Unique among states
- Applications filed with Attorney General
- Different from Secretary of State model
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
- No oath required
Jurats:
- Signer swears or affirms content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Common for affidavits
Oaths and Affirmations:
- Administered for various purposes
- May be verbal without document
- Used for depositions, witness oaths
- Affirmation for religious objections
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness signature without oath
- Signer signs in notary's presence
- Different from acknowledgment
- Specific certificate wording
3. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 456 (25%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- HRS 456-1 — Definitions
- HRS 456-2 — Appointment of notaries
- HRS 456-5 — Powers and duties
- HRS 456-8 — Record book requirements
- HRS 456-13 — Fees
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot act with financial interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot practice law
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
Penalties for Misconduct:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal charges for fraud
- Fines and penalties
4. Record Book Requirements (10%)
Mandatory Record Book: Hawaii requires all notaries to maintain a record book containing:
- Date and time of notarial act
- Type of document notarized
- Name and address of signer
- Type of identification presented
- Signature of signer
- Fees charged
- Any unusual circumstances
Record Book Rules:
- Sequential chronological entries
- Cannot skip pages or entries
- Must be bound (not loose-leaf)
- Retained for 10 years after last entry
- Made available for inspection
5. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid and unexpired
- Hawaii driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Based on long-term familiarity
- Most reliable form of identification
- Must be documented in record book
Credible Witness:
- Credible witness who knows signer
- Witness must present acceptable ID
- Used when signer lacks ID
- Witness swears to signer's identity
6. Fees (5%)
Hawaii Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 |
| Jurat | $5 |
| Oath or affirmation | $5 |
| Witnessing signature | $5 |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Notary fundamentals and appointment | 4-5 |
| Week 1-2 | Types of notarial acts | 4-5 |
| Week 2 | HRS Chapter 456 provisions | 5-6 |
| Week 2-3 | Record book requirements | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Identification and procedures | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice exams and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 23-29 hours
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Hawaii Notary exam.
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Hawaii-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master Record Book Requirements
Hawaii's mandatory record book is unique:
- Must be maintained for all acts
- Sequential, bound format required
- 10-year retention requirement
- Key exam topic
2. Understand Attorney General Administration
Hawaii is unique in administration:
- Notaries under Attorney General, not Secretary of State
- Different application process
- Different oversight structure
- Know this for the exam
3. Know the Low Bond Requirement
Hawaii has the lowest bond in the nation:
- Only $1,000 required
- Significantly lower than most states
- Lower startup costs
- Must remain current
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Hawaii Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% (40/50) |
| Education | Not required |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $1,000 |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Record retention | 10 years |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring record book requirements — Mandatory in Hawaii
- Skipping HRS Chapter 456 — Core of the exam
- Missing 80% threshold — Higher than some states
- Forgetting AG administration — Not Secretary of State
- Underestimating preparation — 50 questions is substantial
- Not understanding record retention — 10 years required
After Passing Your Exam
- Complete application to Attorney General's Office
- Pay application fee to state
- Obtain $1,000 surety bond from approved provider
- Take oath of office before authorized official
- File oath and bond with Attorney General
- Purchase record book (mandatory before performing acts)
- Obtain notary stamp meeting state requirements
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
2026 Hawaii Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization developments
- Electronic record keeping updates
- HRS Chapter 456 amendments
- Fee schedule reviews
Start Your Hawaii Notary Career Today
The Hawaii Notary Public commission offers the lowest bond requirement in the nation ($1,000) combined with a unique market serving tourism, real estate, and international transactions. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ HRS Chapter 456 specifics
- ✅ Record book requirements
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