Do you need a bond or exam in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire requires neither a surety bond nor an exam. Errors and omissions insurance is optional but recommended for your protection.

Who must endorse your New Hampshire application?

Two New Hampshire notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter, with their original signatures, before you submit the application.

Why does it take so long to be appointed?

Because the Governor and Executive Council appoint notaries on a set meeting schedule, processing runs about 8 to 10 weeks after the record check.

Does New Hampshire issue commission numbers?

No. New Hampshire has no commission numbers, so if a form requests one, write N/A. Your stamp shows your name and expiration instead.

How long does a New Hampshire notary commission last?

Five years from the date the Governor and Executive Council confirm your appointment. The maximum fee you may charge is $10 per act.

Becoming a New Hampshire Notary (2026): Endorsements, Council Approval & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. New Hampshire notary rules are set in RSA Chapter 455 and RSA 456-B and can change, so confirm the details with the New Hampshire Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in New Hampshire you must be 18 and live or work in the state. There is no exam and no bond, but two notaries and a registered voter must endorse your application. You mail it with a $75 fee, and the Governor and Executive Council appoint you, which takes 8 to 10 weeks. The commission lasts five years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in New Hampshire?

Becoming a New Hampshire notary usually costs $95 to $130. The fixed state charge is the $75 application fee, which is higher than most states but is balanced by having no bond and no exam. The rest is your required stamp and an optional journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in New Hampshire?

You become a New Hampshire notary by gathering endorsements, then going through Council appointment and an oath. The order is:

Get three endorsements. Have two New Hampshire notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter endorse your application.
Sign before a notary or justice of the peace. Sign the application and the Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check on the back in front of a current notary or justice of the peace.
Mail the original with the $75 fee. Send the original application and fee to the Secretary of State in Concord; the office runs a State Police record check.
Wait for Governor and Council appointment. Your nomination goes to the Governor and Executive Council, which is why processing takes 8 to 10 weeks.
Take your oath and file the card. Swear your oath before two notaries, two justices of the peace, or one of each, who also sign your commission; return the oath, then mail your index card to the county Superior Court.

Who has to endorse your New Hampshire application?

New Hampshire requires three endorsers on your application: two commissioned New Hampshire notaries public and one person registered to vote in New Hampshire. This vouching step replaces the exam or training that other states use, since the endorsers attest to your character rather than your test score. Line them up before you submit, because the application needs their original signatures, and the same people are not the ones who later swear in your oath, which calls for two notaries or justices of the peace at the appointment stage.

Why does it take 8 to 10 weeks in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire takes 8 to 10 weeks because your commission is not granted by the Secretary of State alone; it must be approved by the Governor and Executive Council, who meet on a set schedule rather than continuously. After the Secretary of State runs your criminal record check, your nomination waits for the next Council meeting before appointment. This makes New Hampshire one of the slowest states to process a notary, so apply well ahead of any deadline, and start a renewal early since it follows the same Council timeline.

What are the requirements to become a New Hampshire notary?

The New Hampshire requirements lean on endorsements and a background check rather than testing. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a New Hampshire resident or a resident of an abutting state, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, who works in New Hampshire and holds a notary commission at home. There is no bond and no exam. A stamp is required, but note that New Hampshire issues no commission numbers, so if a form asks for one you write "N/A." The state caps your fee at $10 per notarial act.

How do you renew or notarize online in New Hampshire?

You renew the same way you applied, with fresh endorsements, the $75 fee, and Governor and Council approval, and the Secretary of State mails you a renewal application about 12 weeks before expiration; a lapsed commission means starting over. New Hampshire has allowed remote online notarization since February 6, 2022: after you are commissioned, notify the Secretary of State of your platform, use approved audio-video technology, keep a journal of remote acts, and you may charge up to $25 per remote notarization.

Becoming a New Hampshire notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond or exam in New Hampshire?: No. New Hampshire requires neither a surety bond nor an exam. Errors and omissions insurance is optional but recommended for your protection.
Who must endorse your New Hampshire application?: Two New Hampshire notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter, with their original signatures, before you submit the application.
Why does it take so long to be appointed?: Because the Governor and Executive Council appoint notaries on a set meeting schedule, processing runs about 8 to 10 weeks after the record check.
Does New Hampshire issue commission numbers?: No. New Hampshire has no commission numbers, so if a form requests one, write "N/A." Your stamp shows your name and expiration instead.
How long does a New Hampshire notary commission last?: Five years from the date the Governor and Executive Council confirm your appointment. The maximum fee you may charge is $10 per act.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: New Hampshire Secretary of State, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace program; RSA Chapter 455 (Notaries Public) and RSA 456-B (Uniform Law on Notarial Acts). Confirm current fees and steps with the New Hampshire Secretary of State before applying.