How to Become a Notary Public in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not require an exam to become a notary public. The application process is handled through the Secretary of State's Office and requires endorsements from existing notaries and a registered voter. New Hampshire permanently authorized Remote Online Notarization (RON) in February 2022.
New Hampshire Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Residency | NH resident OR border state resident with NH employment |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | No |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Commission Term | 5 years |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Why Become a New Hampshire Notary?
- No exam required - Simple application process
- No mandatory education - No training courses needed
- No surety bond required - One of few states without bond requirement
- 5-year commission term - Longer than most states
- Remote Online Notarization - Serve clients anywhere via RON
- Set your own fees - Up to $10 per act allowed
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a New Hampshire Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become a New Hampshire notary public, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a New Hampshire resident, OR
- Be a resident of a bordering state (Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont) who has primary employment in New Hampshire AND holds a notary commission in their state of residence
- Have no disqualifying criminal history
Step 2: Obtain Endorsements
Your application must be endorsed by:
- Two (2) New Hampshire notaries public - They must sign your application
- One (1) registered New Hampshire voter - Must attest to your good character
Tip: If you don't know any notaries, banks, law offices, and real estate offices often have notaries who may be willing to endorse your application.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Download the application from the New Hampshire Secretary of State website and complete all required sections:
Required Information:
- Full legal name
- Physical residence address (not PO Box)
- Employment information (if non-resident)
- Endorser signatures
- Oath of office
Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)
Payment Methods: Check payable to "State of New Hampshire" or cash
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Mail to: Secretary of State State House, Room 204 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301-4989
Processing Time: Typically 4-6 weeks
Step 5: Receive Commission and Governor Confirmation
If approved:
- Your commission will be confirmed by the Governor and Executive Council
- You'll receive your Certificate of Commission
- Your commission is valid for 5 years from the confirmation date
Step 6: Purchase Notary Supplies
After receiving your commission, purchase required supplies:
Official Notary Seal or Stamp (Required):
- Must be either an official seal OR official rubber stamp
- Must include: Your name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public," "State of New Hampshire"
- Must include commission expiration date
- Cost: $25-$50
Notary Journal (Recommended):
- Not required by law for traditional notarizations
- Required for Remote Online Notarizations (RON)
- Strongly recommended by the National Notary Association
- Cost: $15-$30
New Hampshire Notary Fees
New Hampshire sets maximum notary fees by state law:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgments | $10 per act |
| Jurats (oaths/affirmations) | $10 per act |
| Witnessing/certifications | $10 per service |
| Depositions | $5 minimum, $50 maximum |
| Travel (mileage) | $0.20 per mile |
Note: You may charge less than the maximum or perform notarizations for free, but you cannot exceed these limits.
New Hampshire-Specific Requirements
Seal/Stamp Requirements
Your New Hampshire notary seal must:
- Be either an official seal (embosser) or rubber stamp
- Clearly show your name exactly as on your commission
- Include "Notary Public"
- Include "State of New Hampshire"
- Be legible and photographically reproducible
The Secretary of State does not provide seals or stamps - you are responsible for purchasing your own from a notary supply vendor.
Journal Requirements
Traditional Notarizations:
- New Hampshire law does not require notaries to keep a journal for traditional (paper) notarizations
- However, keeping a journal is strongly recommended for liability protection
Remote Online Notarizations:
- Journal entries are mandatory for all RON acts
- Must be retained for at least 10 years
Recommended Journal Entries:
- Date and time of notarial act
- Type of act and document description
- Signer's full name and address
- ID method used
- Fee charged (if any)
Certificate Requirements
Every notarial certificate must include:
- Your official seal or stamp impression
- Your signature
- Date of notarial act
- Type of notarization performed
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in New Hampshire
New Hampshire permanently authorized RON effective February 6, 2022 under Senate Bill 134.
RON Requirements
To perform remote online notarizations in New Hampshire:
- Be a commissioned NH notary - Must have active traditional commission
- Use approved technology - Must comply with state requirements
- Maintain electronic journal - Required for all RON acts
- Retain records - Keep journal and audio-visual recordings for at least 10 years
RON Journal Requirements
For remote notarizations, your journal must include:
- Date and time of the notarial act
- Type of act and brief document description
- Full name and address of each signer
- Method of identification (personal knowledge or ID credential details)
- Fee charged (if any)
- Statement that the act was performed remotely
RON Location Requirements
- Notary must be physically in New Hampshire when performing RON
- Signer can be anywhere in the world
- Real-time audio-visual connection required throughout
Electronic Journal Requirements
- Must be in permanent, tamper-evident format
- May maintain separate journals for electronic vs. paper notarizations
- Technology provider usually includes journal functionality
Total Cost to Become a New Hampshire Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Surety Bond | $0 (not required) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Notary Seal/Stamp | $25-$50 |
| Notary Journal (optional) | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $100-$155 |
Note: New Hampshire is one of the most affordable states to become a notary since no bond is required.
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete application | 1 day |
| Obtain endorsements | 1-5 days |
| Mail application | 1-3 days |
| Processing and Governor approval | 4-6 weeks |
| Receive commission | 1-2 weeks |
| Purchase supplies | 3-7 days |
| Total | 6-10 weeks |
Residency Exceptions: Border State Residents
If you live in Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, you may qualify for a New Hampshire notary commission if:
- You have primary employment in New Hampshire
- You already hold a notary commission in your state of residence
Documentation Required:
- Proof of employment in New Hampshire
- Copy of your current commission from your home state
Renewing Your New Hampshire Commission
New Hampshire notary commissions do not automatically renew:
- Apply for renewal before your expiration date
- Submit new application and $75 fee
- Obtain new endorsements (2 notaries + 1 registered voter)
- There is no grace period - acting as notary with expired commission is prohibited
Tip: Set a reminder 3-4 months before expiration to begin the renewal process.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
While not required by New Hampshire law, Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance is recommended:
- Protects you from liability for unintentional errors
- Covers legal fees if you're sued
- Typically costs $20-$50 per year
- Available from notary supply companies and insurance providers
Start Your New Hampshire Notary Career Today
New Hampshire offers one of the simplest and most affordable paths to becoming a notary public - no exam, no mandatory education, and no surety bond required. With a 5-year commission term and Remote Online Notarization authorization, New Hampshire notaries can serve clients both in-person and remotely.