HAWAII NOTARY EXAM 50 PRACTICE AND
STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM READINESS AND
NOTARY PRACTICE FRAMEWORK
◉ What specific information must be included for each official act in
the record book?
Answer: Type, date, time, title of the document, signatures,
addresses, and identification manner of signers.
◉ What is the maximum size of a notarial record book?
Answer: Eleven inches in height and sixteen and one-half inches in
width when fully opened.
◉ What must be printed on the information page of each record
book?
Answer: Notary's name, business address, commission number,
expiration date, book number, and dates of recorded acts.
◉ What happens to a notary's records upon resignation or death?
Answer: They must be deposited with the Attorney General.
◉ What is the penalty for a notary failing to comply with record
disposition regulations?
,Answer: Forfeiture to the State of not less than $50 nor more than
$500.
◉ Who can designate subordinates to be notaries public in
government service?
Answer: The head of every department.
◉ What is one duty of a notary public in government service?
Answer: To perform notarial services without charge in matters
pertaining to the State or United States.
◉ What must a subordinate notary public do to qualify for their
position?
Answer: Duly qualify and receive a commission as a notary public.
◉ What is the role of the Attorney General regarding notaries?
Answer: To bring actions on behalf of the State for non-compliance
and to oversee notarial regulations.
◉ What is the primary function of a notary public?
Answer: To attest and certify certain classes of documents to give
them credit and authenticity.
,◉ What must a notary public do before receiving fees for services
rendered?
Answer: Obtain prior written approval from the Attorney General
and execute the required official bond.
◉ What is an acknowledgment in notarial terms?
Answer: A public declaration by a person that the execution of an
instrument was their free act and deed.
◉ What is the purpose of notarizing a document?
Answer: To protect the parties signing the document and ensure its
authenticity.
◉ What does HAR § 5-11-8 require from a notary?
Answer: To evidence every acknowledgment or jurat with a
certificate describing the document to prevent fraud.
◉ What is the definition of an oath?
Answer: A solemn pledge made by a person, often with an appeal to
God, to attest to the truth of their words.
◉ What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
Answer: An oath appeals to a deity, while an affirmation is a solemn
declaration made without such appeal.
, ◉ What is a deposition in notarial terms?
Answer: Written testimony of a witness given under oath in advance
of a trial or hearing.
◉ What is a protest in notarial practice?
Answer: A formal declaration by a person expressing dissent or
disapproval regarding an act.
◉ What should a notary do if they have a personal interest in a
matter?
Answer: They should not certify to or act in that matter.
◉ Can a notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No, a notary should never notarize their own signature.
◉ What should a notary do if a document is in a foreign language?
Answer: Only notarize it if they have a thorough understanding of
that language.
◉ What is the notary's obligation to the public?
Answer: To judge what acts constitute the practice of law and what
acts are notarial.
STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM READINESS AND
NOTARY PRACTICE FRAMEWORK
◉ What specific information must be included for each official act in
the record book?
Answer: Type, date, time, title of the document, signatures,
addresses, and identification manner of signers.
◉ What is the maximum size of a notarial record book?
Answer: Eleven inches in height and sixteen and one-half inches in
width when fully opened.
◉ What must be printed on the information page of each record
book?
Answer: Notary's name, business address, commission number,
expiration date, book number, and dates of recorded acts.
◉ What happens to a notary's records upon resignation or death?
Answer: They must be deposited with the Attorney General.
◉ What is the penalty for a notary failing to comply with record
disposition regulations?
,Answer: Forfeiture to the State of not less than $50 nor more than
$500.
◉ Who can designate subordinates to be notaries public in
government service?
Answer: The head of every department.
◉ What is one duty of a notary public in government service?
Answer: To perform notarial services without charge in matters
pertaining to the State or United States.
◉ What must a subordinate notary public do to qualify for their
position?
Answer: Duly qualify and receive a commission as a notary public.
◉ What is the role of the Attorney General regarding notaries?
Answer: To bring actions on behalf of the State for non-compliance
and to oversee notarial regulations.
◉ What is the primary function of a notary public?
Answer: To attest and certify certain classes of documents to give
them credit and authenticity.
,◉ What must a notary public do before receiving fees for services
rendered?
Answer: Obtain prior written approval from the Attorney General
and execute the required official bond.
◉ What is an acknowledgment in notarial terms?
Answer: A public declaration by a person that the execution of an
instrument was their free act and deed.
◉ What is the purpose of notarizing a document?
Answer: To protect the parties signing the document and ensure its
authenticity.
◉ What does HAR § 5-11-8 require from a notary?
Answer: To evidence every acknowledgment or jurat with a
certificate describing the document to prevent fraud.
◉ What is the definition of an oath?
Answer: A solemn pledge made by a person, often with an appeal to
God, to attest to the truth of their words.
◉ What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
Answer: An oath appeals to a deity, while an affirmation is a solemn
declaration made without such appeal.
, ◉ What is a deposition in notarial terms?
Answer: Written testimony of a witness given under oath in advance
of a trial or hearing.
◉ What is a protest in notarial practice?
Answer: A formal declaration by a person expressing dissent or
disapproval regarding an act.
◉ What should a notary do if they have a personal interest in a
matter?
Answer: They should not certify to or act in that matter.
◉ Can a notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No, a notary should never notarize their own signature.
◉ What should a notary do if a document is in a foreign language?
Answer: Only notarize it if they have a thorough understanding of
that language.
◉ What is the notary's obligation to the public?
Answer: To judge what acts constitute the practice of law and what
acts are notarial.
