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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
Hawaii commissions notaries through the Attorney General’s Notary Public Office (not the Lieutenant Governor). Act 54, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, and HAR Chapter 5-11 authorize a separate remote online notary commission. Only a notary with an active traditional commission may apply for RON.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Attorney General’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a Hawaii notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: eHawaii.gov Notary Portal
The Notary Office accepts traditional and remote online applications online only. Create or use an eHawaii.gov login, then complete application, exam, and commission payment in order.
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Read the Attorney General notary page Open Notaries Public for qualifications, letters, fees, and RON rules. |
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Open the Online Notary Public portal Use Online Notary Public portal (Help: portal Help / FAQs). |
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If you already hold a Hawaii commission, keep it active Only an active notary may apply for a remote online notary commission. |
Part 1: Traditional Hawaii Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired Hawaii notary public commission. You cannot apply for RON until this is in place.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Notaries Public and portal Help / FAQs. Paper applications are not accepted. |
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Complete traditional notary education After the application is approved you must pass a written closed-book exam on Hawaii notary law and practice. The portal lists a $10 examination fee. There is no separate pre-application SOS-style course fee listed on the AG page. |
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Obtain a $1,000 surety bond The portal Help page requires a $1,000 surety bond to the satisfaction of the State, from a Hawaii-licensed surety. The original bond must be approved by a circuit court judge in your circuit before you begin notarizing. Government notaries: no bond, per the Help page. |
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Submit the traditional application Apply on Online Notary Public portal with the letters and a non-refundable $20 application fee (HAR § 5-11-46). Complete the application within 90 days or it may be abandoned. |
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Order the commission after you pass The portal lists $100 to order and pay for the commission after the exam. File the commission papers as the office instructs, including circuit-court bond approval. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Complete this only with an active Hawaii notary commission. RON is a separate application, exam, and commission payment on the same portal. A remote online notary is a Hawaii notary who notarizes for a remotely located individual using communication technology.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions Notaries Public (Application for a remote online notary public) and the RON section of Online Notary Public portal / portal Help / FAQs. |
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Complete online notary education After the RON application is approved, schedule the remote online notary examination. The portal lists a $10 RO Notary examination fee. |
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Start the online commission application Submit the RO Notary application on Online Notary Public portal. The portal and AG page list a non-refundable $20 application fee. RON applications are accepted online only. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Complete whatever certificate, seal, and technology steps the commission packet and HAR Chapter 5-11 require after you pass. |
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Upload your electronic seal Provide seal and signature evidence as the Notary Public Office instructs when you order the RON commission. |
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Pay and submit The portal lists $100 to order and pay for the RO Notary commission after you pass the exam. Confirm the current amount on the portal before you pay. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Keep the traditional commission current. Only an active notary may hold or renew RON. Renewals are prompted by email about 60 days before expiration.
Fees Listed by the Attorney General
Amounts below are from Online Notary Public portal and Notaries Public. Confirm them there before you pay. Bond premiums are paid to the surety. Circuit-court filing of the bond follows the Help page.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Traditional examination | $10 |
| Remote online notary examination | $10 |
| Traditional application | $20 (non-refundable) |
| Remote online notary application | $20 (non-refundable) |
| Commission after passing (traditional or RON) | $100 each, as listed on the portal |
| Surety bond | $1,000 (not required for government notaries) |
Official Hawaii Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Notaries Public (Attorney General) | ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public |
| Online Notary Public portal | notary.ehawaii.gov |
| Notary Public Office | (808) 586-1216 | [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. Only a notary public with an active commission may apply for a remote online notary public commission.
Q: Does Hawaii approve a list of RON platforms?
A: Use technology that meets Act 54 / HAR Chapter 5-11. Confirm current vendor rules with the Notary Public Office; this checklist does not recommend a platform.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Online Notary Public portal and Notaries Public.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
