Notary Fees
Hawaii caps notarial fees by statute; the notary must not exceed the maximum and should record fees.
Maximum fee per act
Hawaii law (HRS §456-17) caps the fee for a notarial act at a modest statutory amount (for example, $5 per act/signature). A notary may charge less or nothing but never more than the maximum. Fees charged should be recorded in the notary's mandatory record of acts.
Disclosure
A Hawaii notary should be transparent about fees and record them. Because Hawaii keeps a strict record of every act, fee entries are part of that official record. Verify the current statutory maximum before charging.
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/