How to Become an Online Notary in Hawaii

Beginning January 1, 2021, Hawaii Notaries gained the option to enroll for remote online notarizations (RONs). To embark on the journey of becoming a remote Notary in the Aloha State, follow these steps:

Maintain a current commission as a traditional Notary Public.
Enter into an agreement with at least one RON technology provider that complies with state regulations.
Register for and successfully pass the state examination, along with payment of the $10 application fee.
Complete and submit an application to the Department of Attorney General, addressed to the Attorney General of the Department of Attorney General.

Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Hawaii and approved with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state’s local Online Notary laws!

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What are the requirements to become a Notary in Hawaii?

There are fundamental eligibility criteria for individuals aspiring to become a Notary in Hawaii. All applicants must:

Attain a minimum age of 18 years.
Establish residency in Hawaii.
Hold citizenship status as either a U.S. citizen, national, or a permanent resident alien authorized to work in the United States.
Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending the English language.
Not exhibit signs of addiction, dependency, or habitual usage of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, opium, cocaine, or other substances or derivatives with similar characteristics.

For further details, consult the Hawaii Notary Public Manual or the Hawaii SoS Website.

How to Become a Traditional Notary in Hawaii (Get your Notary Commission)

Individuals aiming to become a Notary Public in Hawaii must complete the following steps:

Ensure compliance with Hawaii’s eligibility criteria (refer to details below).
Submit your application online.
Remit the $20 filing fee to the State Director of Finance, unless you qualify for an exemption.
Provide a letter of justification and character.
Create an online account and schedule your examination. Expect to receive your examination date, time, and location, typically within a few weeks.
Successfully pass the examination and submit the $100 commission fee.
Acquire your Notary seal and journal.
Procure a $1,000 four-year surety bond, subject to approval by a circuit court judge.
File a copy of your commission, an imprint of your Notary seal, and a specimen of your Notary signature with the clerk of the circuit court in your residential jurisdiction. Note that a filing fee applies.
Consider obtaining Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance to mitigate financial risks (optional but highly recommended).
Enhance your knowledge and skills by enrolling in continuing education courses and seeking guidance from experienced Notary experts (optional but strongly advised).

Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Hawaii.

For any confusion in the process, we recommend joining the BlueNotary Mastermind Facebook Group full of notaries from each state who have been through the exact state processes and can help guide you along the way.

Updated on: 24/07/2024