Key Takeaways
- Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment
- Must be a resident of the State of Hawaii (non-residents do not qualify)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, OR a permanent resident diligently seeking citizenship
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Must have good moral character with no disqualifying criminal history
Eligibility Requirements for Hawaii Notary Public
Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 456-2, the Attorney General establishes specific qualifications that all notary public applicants must meet before receiving a commission.
Basic Qualifications
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be at least 18 years old at time of appointment |
| Residency | Must be a Hawaii resident (non-residents cannot qualify) |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen, U.S. national, OR permanent resident diligently seeking citizenship |
| Language | Must read, write, speak, and understand English |
| Character | Good moral character required |
Residency Requirement
Hawaii is strict about residency. Unlike some states that allow non-resident notaries, Hawaii requires all notary public applicants to be actual residents of the State of Hawaii at the time of application and throughout their commission term.
Important: If you move out of Hawaii, your commission becomes invalid and you must cease performing notarial acts.
Citizenship and Immigration Status
You qualify for a Hawaii notary commission if you are:
- U.S. Citizen - Born or naturalized citizen of the United States
- U.S. National - Person who owes permanent allegiance to the United States
- Lawful Permanent Resident - Green card holder who is diligently pursuing U.S. citizenship when eligible
Key Point: Permanent residents must demonstrate they are diligently seeking U.S. citizenship upon becoming eligible. This means actively pursuing the naturalization process.
Good Moral Character
The Attorney General evaluates moral character during the application process. Factors that may disqualify an applicant include:
| Disqualifying Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | May result in denial |
| Crimes of dishonesty | Likely denial (fraud, forgery, perjury) |
| Drug-related offenses | May result in denial |
| Pending criminal charges | Application may be delayed |
| Prior notary misconduct | May result in denial |
Government Employee Notaries
Government employees may be commissioned as notaries public to perform notarial acts in connection with their official duties. Special provisions apply:
- No surety bond required if notarizing only in official government capacity
- Must still meet all other eligibility requirements
- Commission is tied to government employment
On the Exam
Expect questions testing your knowledge of:
- The residency requirement (Hawaii resident only)
- Citizenship options (citizen, national, or permanent resident seeking citizenship)
- Age requirement (18 years old)
- What constitutes disqualifying conduct
Who is eligible to become a notary public in Hawaii?
What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Hawaii?