How to Become a Hawaii Notary in 2026
Hawaii has unique requirements: an in-person closed-book exam (80% pass, covers HRS Ch.456), a round stamp (required by law), circuit court filing within 90 days, and the lowest bond in the US — just $1,000. Governed by the Hawaii Attorney General.
Bond Required
$1,000 (lowest in US)
Exam
In-person, closed-book
State Fees
$130 total
Commission Term
4 years
Hawaii requires a ROUND stamp AND circuit court filing within 90 days
Hawaii notary law requires a circular (round) notary seal — not rectangular. You must also file your commission with the circuit court within 90 days of commissioning — you cannot legally notarize until the circuit court filing is complete. The Hawaii Attorney General oversees notaries at ag.hawaii.gov. Portal: notary.ehawaii.gov.
Two Paths: Commission Only vs. Notary Signing Agent
Path 1: Hawaii Notary Commission
More steps than most states — but only $1,000 bond and $130 in fees.
- Study for and pass in-person exam (HRS Chapter 456)
- $20 app + $10 exam + $100 commission = $130 in fees
- $1,000 surety bond (lowest in US)
- Purchase round notary stamp (required by law)
- File with circuit court within 90 days
Path 2: Notary Signing Agent — Where the Money Is
Facilitate real estate loan closings at $75–$150 per appointment in Honolulu and Maui.
- Hawaii notary commission (required first)
- NSA training (LSS $347 or Notary Coach)
- NNA background check (required by most companies)
- E&O insurance ($100,000)
- Sign up on Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123Notary
Best Hawaii Notary Training Programs
All 4 schools are Hawaii Hawaii Attorney General-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
WeGoNotary — Hawaii Exam Prep
Hawaii Exam SpecialistStarting at
$
- Hawaii-specific notary exam preparation course
- Covers HRS Chapter 456 — the Hawaii notary statute tested on the exam
- Designed for in-person closed-book Hawaii exam
- Used by Hawaii notary applicants preparing for the state exam
- Focused exclusively on Hawaii notary law and procedures
Available Packages (1)
Hawaii Exam Prep
- Hawaii-specific notary exam prep
- HRS Chapter 456 coverage
- Practice questions for in-person closed-book exam
- Check wegonotary.com for current pricing
Notary Coach — Sign & Thrive (Bill Soroka)
Best Subscription ModelStarting at
$49
- Created by Bill Soroka — author of Sign & Thrive
- Community-based learning on Skool platform
- Phase-based coaching system for new and experienced NSAs
- Lower monthly commitment vs. one-time course fees
- Active community of working notary signing agents
Available Packages (1)
Monthly Subscription — $49/mo
- Sign & Thrive NSA training course
- Skool community access
- Phase-based coaching
- Live Q&A sessions
- Cancel anytime
NNA (National Notary Association)
Round Seal IncludedStarting at
$164
- Complete supply packages for Hawaii Notary Public Commission
- Hawaii requires a ROUND stamp — NNA Basic includes round seal
- $1,000 surety bond — lowest in the US
- NSA Certification includes industry-standard background check
- Hawaii exam covers HRS Chapter 456 notary law
Available Packages (3)
Basic — $164
- $1,000 surety bond (4-year)
- Hawaii notary seal — ROUND stamp (required by law)
- Hawaii notary journal
- Hawaii Notary Primer handbook
Loan Signing System (LSS) — Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course in the US — 100,000+ students nationwide
- Created by Mark Wills — NNA keynote speaker with 10,000+ signings
- LSS Certification recognized by title companies and signing services
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course — $347
- 24/7 Online Video NSA Training + LSS Certification
- Proven 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 Months LIVE 1:1 Mentorship + Biweekly Coaching Calls
- List of 300+ companies that hire notary signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x $97/month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How to Become a Hawaii Notary — Step by Step
Study for the Hawaii notary exam
Hawaii requires an in-person, closed-book exam covering HRS Chapter 456 (Hawaii notary law). No training course is required, but exam prep is strongly recommended. WeGoNotary (wegonotary.com) offers Hawaii-specific exam prep designed to mirror the actual exam.
Apply through notary.ehawaii.gov and pay fees
Apply at notary.ehawaii.gov. Pay the $20 application fee and $10 exam fee ($30 total before commissioning). The Hawaii Attorney General administers the notary program.
Pass the in-person, closed-book exam (80% required)
Take the exam administered by the Hawaii Attorney General. You must score at least 80% to pass. WeGoNotary and NNA both offer study resources for the HRS Chapter 456 exam content.
Pay the $100 commission fee
After passing the exam, pay $100 to receive your notary commission from the Hawaii AG.
File with the circuit court within 90 days — required before notarizing
After receiving your commission, file your paperwork with your county circuit court within 90 days. You cannot legally perform any notarial acts until this filing is complete. Do not miss the 90-day window.
Purchase your round stamp and $1,000 bond
Buy a Hawaii-compliant round (circular) notary seal and a $1,000 surety bond — the lowest bond requirement in the US. NNA Basic ($164) includes both.
Hawaii Attorney General — Notary Information
Official Resources
- AG Notary page: ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/
- Notary portal: notary.ehawaii.gov
- Commission term: 4 years
- Bond required: $1,000 (lowest in US)
- Circuit court filing: Within 90 days of commissioning
Hawaii NSA Market
Honolulu (Oahu) is Hawaii's largest and most active real estate market — high property values support premium NSA fees. Maui has a luxury vacation home market with high-net-worth buyers. Hawaii's active real estate market and tourism economy keep transaction volumes steady. NSAs comfortable with the unique commissioning process face limited local competition.
Frequently Asked Questions — Hawaii Notary
How do I become a notary in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a unique commissioning process. You must pass an in-person, closed-book exam (80% passing score) administered by the Hawaii Attorney General, pay $20 application fee + $10 exam fee + $100 commission fee, file your commission paperwork with the circuit court within 90 days, and purchase a $1,000 surety bond. Hawaii requires a round stamp (not rectangular). No training course is required, but the exam covers HRS Chapter 456.
What is on the Hawaii notary exam?
The Hawaii notary exam is an in-person, closed-book exam that covers Hawaii notary law under HRS Chapter 456. You must score 80% or higher to pass. WeGoNotary (wegonotary.com) offers Hawaii-specific exam prep — check their website for current pricing and course options.
Why does Hawaii require a round notary stamp?
Hawaii law specifies that notary seals must be circular (round) in shape. This is unique to Hawaii — most states use rectangular or oval stamps. When ordering your notary stamp, specifically request a Hawaii-compliant round seal. The NNA Basic package ($164) includes the correct round stamp.
What is the bond requirement for Hawaii notaries?
Hawaii requires only a $1,000 surety bond — the lowest bond requirement in the United States. The bond is required for the 4-year commission term.
What fees does Hawaii charge for notary commissioning?
Hawaii charges a $20 application fee, $10 exam fee, and $100 commission fee — totaling $130 in state fees. Plus the $1,000 bond (typically $10–$20 for 4 years).
What is the circuit court filing requirement?
After receiving your Hawaii notary commission, you must file your commission paperwork with the circuit court within 90 days. This is a unique Hawaii requirement — you cannot legally notarize until the circuit court filing is complete. Most counties have a straightforward filing process, but do not miss the 90-day window.
Who oversees Hawaii notaries?
Hawaii notaries are overseen by the Hawaii Attorney General — not a Secretary of State. The AG office notary page is at ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/ and the notary portal is at notary.ehawaii.gov.
Can I become a Notary Signing Agent in Hawaii?
Yes. After obtaining your Hawaii notary commission, you can complete NSA training through Loan Signing System ($347) or Notary Coach to facilitate real estate loan closings earning $75–$150 per appointment. Honolulu (Oahu) is the primary Hawaii NSA market; Maui has a high-value luxury real estate market.
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