Key Takeaways
- Hawaii notary fees are set by statute - notaries cannot charge more than allowed
- Maximum fee for protests is $5 per protest and $5 per notice/certified copy
- Fees for other notarial acts are not specifically capped but must be reasonable
- The fee charged must be recorded in the notary journal for each act
- Notaries may choose to notarize for free or for less than the maximum
Last updated: January 2026
Notary Fees
Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 456-9 and Hawaii Administrative Rules establish the fees that notaries may charge for notarial services.
Statutory Fee Limits
Protest Fees
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Noting protest of mercantile paper | $5 |
| Each notice and certified copy of protest | $5 |
| Noting any other protest | $5 |
| Notice and certified copy thereof | $5 |
Other Notarial Acts
For notarial acts other than protests, Hawaii law does not specify a maximum fee. However:
- Fees must be reasonable
- Notaries should follow industry standards
- Fees should be disclosed in advance
- All fees must be recorded in the journal
Fee Principles
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No hidden charges | Cannot add surcharges beyond stated fees |
| Advance disclosure | Tell signer the fee before performing the act |
| Record keeping | Must record fee in journal for each act |
| Voluntary reduction | May charge less than maximum or notarize for free |
Attorney General Administrative Fees
The Attorney General charges the following fees for notary-related services:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application for notary public commission | $20 |
| Application for renewal of commission | $20 |
| Application for restoration of forfeited commission | $10 |
| Application for reinstatement of suspended commission | $10 |
| Change in name, employer, address, phone, or circuit | $10 |
| Notary public manual (pickup) | $3 |
| Notary public manual (mailed) | $5 |
| Certification of notarial transaction from journal | $5 per transaction |
Commission and Exam Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $20 |
| Examination fee | $10 |
| Commission issuance fee | $100 |
| Total AG fees | $130 |
Plus: surety bond (~$50-$130), Circuit Court filing ($6), and supplies
Fee Recording Requirements
For every notarial act, the journal entry must include:
- Whether a fee was charged
- The amount of the fee
- If no fee, indicate "no fee" or "$0"
Prohibition on Additional Charges
| Prohibited | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Surcharge for travel (beyond reasonable) | Reasonable travel fee if disclosed in advance |
| Extra fee for notary certificate | Fee included in notarial act fee |
| Undisclosed fees | Fees disclosed before notarization |
| Overcharging beyond statutory limits | Charging less than maximum |
Best Practices for Fees
- Set consistent fees for each type of notarial act
- Disclose fees upfront before starting
- Post a fee schedule if operating a business
- Record every fee (or lack thereof) in your journal
- Don't overcharge - stay within statutory limits
On the Exam
Key points:
- Know the $5 maximum for protests
- Fees must be recorded in journal
- Cannot charge more than statutory limits
- No hidden surcharges allowed
Test Your Knowledge
What is the maximum fee a Hawaii notary may charge for noting the protest of mercantile paper?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Must the fee charged for a notarial act be recorded in the notary's journal?
A
B
C
D