Do you need a bond to be a notary in Hawaii?

Yes, a $1,000 surety bond that a Circuit Court judge must approve before it is filed with the court. Allow about ten days for approval.

Is the Hawaii notary exam open book?

No. It is a closed-book written exam requiring 80% to pass. You may retake it within 14 days if you do not pass the first time.

Who appoints notaries in Hawaii?

The Department of the Attorney General, not a Secretary of State, and only Hawaii residents qualify to apply.

What letters does the application need?

A letter of justification from your employer and a letter of character from a Hawaii resident who is not your employer or a relative.

How long does a Hawaii notary commission last?

Four years, valid only within Hawaii. You retake the exam and complete continuing education to renew.

Hawaii Notary Public 2026: The Closed-Book Exam, Bond & How to Apply

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Hawaii notary rules are set in HRS Chapter 456 and administered by the Department of the Attorney General, and can change, so confirm the details before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Hawaii you must be 18 and a Hawaii resident. Unlike most states, the Attorney General appoints notaries, and you must pass a closed-book exam at 80%. Your application needs two letters, one of justification and one of character, and a $1,000 bond approved by a Circuit Court judge. The commission lasts four years and works only within Hawaii. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Hawaii?

Becoming a Hawaii notary usually costs $190 to $280 once every fee is counted. The fixed state charges are a $20 application fee, a $10 exam fee, a $100 commission issuance fee, and a $6 Circuit Court filing fee. The $1,000 bond adds roughly $50 to $130, and you also buy a required seal and record book. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Hawaii?

You become a Hawaii notary by applying to the Attorney General, passing the exam, and bonding through the court. The steps, in order, are:

Gather your two letters. Obtain a letter of justification from your employer and a letter of character from a Hawaii resident who is not your employer or a relative.
Apply online with the $20 fee. Submit the application through the Attorney General's notary system with both letters attached.
Pass the closed-book exam. After approval, sit the written exam and score at least 80%; details and practice are on our Hawaii notary exam page.
Pay the $100 commission fee and bond up. Pay the issuance fee, obtain a $1,000 bond, and have a Circuit Court judge approve it, allowing about ten days.
File with the Circuit Court clerk. File a copy of your commission, your seal impression, and your signature with the clerk, pay the $6 fee, then begin notarizing.

Do you have to pass an exam to become a Hawaii notary?

Yes, Hawaii requires a written, closed-book exam that you must pass with a score of 80% or higher, which is stricter than the open-book tests many states use. It covers Hawaii's notary statutes and rules along with the practical duties of the office, and if you do not pass you can retake it within 14 days without filing a new application. Because you cannot rely on the manual during the test, study it beforehand and use our Hawaii notary practice test to prepare.

What letters does the Hawaii application require?

Hawaii asks for two letters that most states do not, and missing either one stalls the application. The first is a letter of justification, written by your employer, explaining why you need a notary commission. The second is a letter of character, written by a Hawaii resident who is neither your employer nor a relative, attesting to your honesty, trustworthiness, and financial integrity. Line both up before you apply, since the Attorney General reviews them as part of approving you to sit the exam.

What are the requirements to become a Hawaii notary?

The Hawaii requirements are among the most involved in the country and are handled by the Attorney General rather than a Secretary of State. You must be at least 18, a Hawaii resident, and a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident alien diligently seeking citizenship, with no felony or perjury conviction. You carry a $1,000 bond approved by a Circuit Court judge, and you may hold only one seal at a time. When your commission ends you must surrender your seal and record books to the Attorney General.

How do you renew or notarize online in Hawaii?

You renew by reapplying before your four-year commission expires, and Hawaii requires you to retake the exam and complete continuing education at each renewal, with a $40 renewal fee; renewal notices are mailed about two months ahead. Hawaii notaries work only within the state, so your authority does not extend to the mainland. The state also provides for remote online notarization under its updated notary law, which you register for through the Attorney General once commissioned.

Becoming a Hawaii notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Hawaii?: Yes, a $1,000 surety bond that a Circuit Court judge must approve before it is filed with the court. Allow about ten days for approval.
Is the Hawaii notary exam open book?: No. It is a closed-book written exam requiring 80% to pass. You may retake it within 14 days if you do not pass the first time.
Who appoints notaries in Hawaii?: The Department of the Attorney General, not a Secretary of State, and only Hawaii residents qualify to apply.
What letters does the application need?: A letter of justification from your employer and a letter of character from a Hawaii resident who is not your employer or a relative.
How long does a Hawaii notary commission last?: Four years, valid only within Hawaii. You retake the exam and complete continuing education to renew.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office and the Notary Public Manual; Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 456 and Act 54 (2020). Confirm current fees and steps with the Attorney General before applying.