Hawaii Notary Exam | 50 Questions with
100% Correct Answers 2026/2027
1. Which of the following individuals meets the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for
a notary public commission in Hawaii?
A. A 17-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Honolulu.
B. A lawful permanent resident alien who has resided in Hawaii for 6 months but has no
intention of applying for U.S. citizenship.
C. A 20-year-old U.S. citizen who has been a resident of Hawaii for one year.
D. A non-resident U.S. citizen who owns a business in Hawaii but lives in California.
2. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 456, which of the following conditions would
automatically disqualify an applicant from being appointed as a notary public?
A. The applicant has declared bankruptcy within the last 10 years.
B. The applicant was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, unless pardoned or the
judgment vacated.
C. The applicant works for a title company and performs closings.
D. The applicant does not hold a college degree.
3. Regarding the requirement for applicants who are permanent resident aliens, which
statement is TRUE?
A. They are ineligible to become notaries in Hawaii under any circumstances.
B. They must become U.S. citizens before submitting the application.
C. They must be a permanent resident alien of the United States who diligently seeks
citizenship upon becoming eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
D. They may apply only if they have resided in Hawaii for at least 10 years.
,4. Who is responsible for the appointment and commissioning of notaries public in the State
of Hawaii?
A. The Governor
B. The Lieutenant Governor
C. The Attorney General
D. The Circuit Court Chief Judge
5. Which of the following steps is part of the application process for becoming a notary public
in Hawaii?
A. Passing a state-administered bar examination.
B. Submitting an application to the Attorney General along with the required fee.
C. Receiving a nomination from a state senator.
D. Posting a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation for 30 days.
6. What is the standard term of office for a notary public commission in Hawaii?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Lifetime, unless revoked
7. How far in advance may a notary public apply for the renewal of their commission?
A. Only after the commission has expired.
B. Up to 30 days before expiration.
C. Up to 60 days before expiration.
D. Up to 6 months before expiration.
, 8. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement before a notary public can exercise the
duties of the office?
A. The notary must file a bond with a surety approved by the Attorney General.
B. The notary must purchase liability insurance.
C. The notary must register with the county clerk.
D. The notary must post a sign at their residence.
Domain 2: Notarial Acts (Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths, Affirmations) (10 Questions)
9. A notary is asked to perform an acknowledgment on a document. Which of the following
statements accurately describes the procedure for an acknowledgment?
A. The signer must sign the document in the notary's physical presence.
B. The signer must swear to the truthfulness of the document's contents.
C. The signer must acknowledge to the notary that they signed the document voluntarily.
D. The notary must read the entire document to the signer to ensure understanding.
10. What is the primary difference between a notarial act involving an acknowledgment and
one involving a jurat?
A. An acknowledgment requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence, whereas a jurat
does not.
B. A jurat requires the administration of an oath or affirmation regarding the truthfulness of
the document, while an acknowledgment does not.
C. An acknowledgment is only used for real estate documents, while a jurat is used for
affidavits.
D. A jurat does not require positive identification of the signer.
11. A customer brings in a deed that was signed yesterday. They want you to notarize their
signature as an acknowledgment. What is the correct procedure?
100% Correct Answers 2026/2027
1. Which of the following individuals meets the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for
a notary public commission in Hawaii?
A. A 17-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Honolulu.
B. A lawful permanent resident alien who has resided in Hawaii for 6 months but has no
intention of applying for U.S. citizenship.
C. A 20-year-old U.S. citizen who has been a resident of Hawaii for one year.
D. A non-resident U.S. citizen who owns a business in Hawaii but lives in California.
2. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 456, which of the following conditions would
automatically disqualify an applicant from being appointed as a notary public?
A. The applicant has declared bankruptcy within the last 10 years.
B. The applicant was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, unless pardoned or the
judgment vacated.
C. The applicant works for a title company and performs closings.
D. The applicant does not hold a college degree.
3. Regarding the requirement for applicants who are permanent resident aliens, which
statement is TRUE?
A. They are ineligible to become notaries in Hawaii under any circumstances.
B. They must become U.S. citizens before submitting the application.
C. They must be a permanent resident alien of the United States who diligently seeks
citizenship upon becoming eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
D. They may apply only if they have resided in Hawaii for at least 10 years.
,4. Who is responsible for the appointment and commissioning of notaries public in the State
of Hawaii?
A. The Governor
B. The Lieutenant Governor
C. The Attorney General
D. The Circuit Court Chief Judge
5. Which of the following steps is part of the application process for becoming a notary public
in Hawaii?
A. Passing a state-administered bar examination.
B. Submitting an application to the Attorney General along with the required fee.
C. Receiving a nomination from a state senator.
D. Posting a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation for 30 days.
6. What is the standard term of office for a notary public commission in Hawaii?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Lifetime, unless revoked
7. How far in advance may a notary public apply for the renewal of their commission?
A. Only after the commission has expired.
B. Up to 30 days before expiration.
C. Up to 60 days before expiration.
D. Up to 6 months before expiration.
, 8. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement before a notary public can exercise the
duties of the office?
A. The notary must file a bond with a surety approved by the Attorney General.
B. The notary must purchase liability insurance.
C. The notary must register with the county clerk.
D. The notary must post a sign at their residence.
Domain 2: Notarial Acts (Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths, Affirmations) (10 Questions)
9. A notary is asked to perform an acknowledgment on a document. Which of the following
statements accurately describes the procedure for an acknowledgment?
A. The signer must sign the document in the notary's physical presence.
B. The signer must swear to the truthfulness of the document's contents.
C. The signer must acknowledge to the notary that they signed the document voluntarily.
D. The notary must read the entire document to the signer to ensure understanding.
10. What is the primary difference between a notarial act involving an acknowledgment and
one involving a jurat?
A. An acknowledgment requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence, whereas a jurat
does not.
B. A jurat requires the administration of an oath or affirmation regarding the truthfulness of
the document, while an acknowledgment does not.
C. An acknowledgment is only used for real estate documents, while a jurat is used for
affidavits.
D. A jurat does not require positive identification of the signer.
11. A customer brings in a deed that was signed yesterday. They want you to notarize their
signature as an acknowledgment. What is the correct procedure?
