Notarial Acts & Their Differences
A Hawaii notary may take acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions and affidavits (jurats), certify or attest copies where authorized, and witness signatures, always completing the required certificate with the notary's certification.
Notarial acts and the certification statement
Hawaii notaries take acknowledgments, administer oaths/affirmations, execute jurats, and witness signatures. Every notarial certificate in Hawaii must include a specific certification statement—date, the parties, the act performed—plus the notary's signature, seal, and certification/identification number. Hawaii's emphasis on a complete certification statement is a distinctive, tested feature.
Acknowledgment vs. jurat
In an acknowledgment the signer declares they signed willingly; in a jurat the signer signs before the notary and swears the contents are true. The Hawaii notary applies the certificate the document specifies and records the act. A non-attorney notary must not choose the act for the signer, which is unauthorized practice of law.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Hawaii Department of the Attorney General (Notaries Public)
- Passing score
- 80%
Who commissions notaries in Hawaii?
Uniquely among U.S. states, Hawaii notaries are commissioned by the Department of the Attorney General, not the Secretary of State.
Does Hawaii require a notary exam?
Yes. Hawaii requires an in-person, closed-book written exam covering HRS Chapter 456 and the notary rules, taken at the Attorney General's office. Study is self-directed from the state Notary Public Manual.
What score do I need to pass the Hawaii notary exam?
You must score at least 80% to pass the Hawaii notary examination.
How much can a Hawaii notary charge per act?
Hawaii caps ordinary notarial fees at $5.00 per acknowledgment or certificate per signer under HRS §456-17. A commission runs for 4 years.
Sources: https://ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/, https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-25/chapter-456/section-456-17/