Hawaii Notary Exam: Free Practice Test & 2026 Study Guide
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The practice questions are based on the current Hawaii Notary Public Manual and Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 456, but the law can change. Always study the official manual from the Department of the Attorney General before your exam.
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Hawaii notary practice test (free)
Answer the questions below, then choose Practice mode for instant explanations or Timed practice to work against the clock. Every answer shows the rule behind it and the official source. Hawaii's exam is closed book, so practice until you can answer from memory — aim for 90%.
How does the Hawaii notary exam work?
Hawaii's notary program runs through the Department of the Attorney General, and once your application is approved you schedule and sit a written, closed-book exam covering the statutory laws, administrative rules, and a notary's duties. You pass with a score of 80% or higher, and the test is offered on Oahu at least once a month, with periodic dates on the neighbor islands. If you fail, you can retake it without a new application, but you must request and reschedule the re-exam within 14 days of your failure notice and pay the $10 fee again; after three failed attempts you must wait three months. Skipping a scheduled exam without notice triggers a $25 fee. There is no mandatory course — you study the official Notary Public Manual, which the exam is built from.
What else does Hawaii require?
Hawaii adds steps that most states do not. Your application needs two letters: a letter of justification from your employer explaining why you need a commission, and a letter of character from a Hawaii resident — not your employer or a relative — vouching for your honesty and integrity. After you pass and pay the fees, you must file with the clerk of the Circuit Court in your circuit within 90 days: a copy of your commission, your seal impression and signature, and the $1,000 bond approved by a Circuit Court judge. You cannot notarize until that filing is complete, and you may hold only one notary seal.
What topics and fees should you know?
A few Hawaii specifics account for most missed questions, so make sure these are clear:
| Topic | Key Hawaii rule |
|---|---|
| Commissioning authority | Department of the Attorney General (not a Secretary of State) |
| Exam format | Written, closed book; score 80% or higher to pass |
| Surety bond | $1,000, filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Fees | $20 application, $10 exam, $100 commission issuance, $6 court filing |
| Seal | Only one seal allowed per notary |
What requirements must you meet before you apply?
Before you can notarize you must qualify, pass the exam, pay the fees, and file at the Circuit Court. Here is the general sequence:
- Be at least 18 and a Hawaii resident (non-residents do not qualify), and a U.S. citizen, national, or qualifying permanent resident.
- Submit the online application with the $20 fee, a letter of justification, and a letter of character.
- After approval, schedule and pass the closed-book exam with 80% or higher.
- Pay the $100 commission issuance fee and obtain a $1,000 bond approved by a Circuit Court judge.
- File your commission copy, seal impression, signature, and bond at the Circuit Court within 90 days before notarizing.
Hawaii notary exam: frequently asked questions
- Who administers the Hawaii notary exam?
- The Department of the Attorney General, not a Secretary of State. The exam is offered on Oahu at least once a month and periodically on the neighbor islands.
- What score do I need, and can I retake it?
- You need 80% or higher on the closed-book exam. If you fail, you can retake it without a new application, but you must reschedule within 14 days of your failure notice and pay the $10 fee again; after three failed attempts you wait three months.
- How big is the Hawaii notary bond?
- $1,000, which is low compared with many states. It must be approved by a Circuit Court judge and filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court in your circuit.
- What letters does Hawaii require?
- Two: a letter of justification from your employer explaining why you need a commission, and a letter of character from a Hawaii resident who is not your employer or a relative.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Hawaii Department of the Attorney General (Notaries Public program and the Hawaii Notary Public Manual), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 456, and Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 5 Chapter 11. Confirm the current version on the Hawaii Attorney General website.