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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 New Hampshire Secretary of State using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
New Hampshire notaries are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council for a five-year term. The Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RSA 456-B) authorizes electronic and remote notarization effective February 6, 2022, but only after you notify the Secretary of State of the technology you will use.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’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 New Hampshire Secretary of State’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a New Hampshire notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: Commission, Then SOS Notice
Complete the $75 application, appointment, and oath. Then file the electronic/remote notification and wait until you have notified the office before the first remote or electronic act.
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Read the official notary and remote pages Open Notary Public, Electronic and Remote Notarization, and Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual. |
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Mail the Notary Public Application Pay $75 to the State of New Hampshire. After appointment, take the oath and return it to the SOS. |
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If you already hold a New Hampshire commission, file the electronic/remote notice before the first remote session |
Part 1: Traditional New Hampshire Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired New Hampshire notary public commission. You still must notify the SOS before electronic or remote acts.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Notary Public and RSA 455-A / RSA 456-B. |
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Complete traditional notary education Not listed on the official Notary Public page as a required SOS examination or classroom course. Study {manual}. |
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Obtain a surety bond Not listed on the official Notary Public page as a required surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and is not required by New Hampshire law. |
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Submit the traditional application Mail the original completed application with $75 (check payable to State of New Hampshire, or cash) to the Secretary of State’s Office, Room 204, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301. |
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Take the oath and keep the commission After appointment, take the oath before two justices of the peace, two notaries, or one of each. Return the oath to the SOS. The commission is valid five years from the Governor and Council confirmation date. New Hampshire does not issue commission numbers. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
You are not authorized to perform electronic or remote notarizations until you provide notice to the Secretary of State. The notary must be physically in New Hampshire. Use identity proofing, record the audio-visual session, and preserve the recording for ten years. A journal is required for remote notarizations (preserve at least ten years).
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions Electronic and Remote Notarization, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual, and RSA 456-B:6-a. |
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Complete online notary education Not listed on the official electronic-and-remote page as a required SOS RON course. Complete any training your technology provider requires. |
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Start the online commission application Complete RSA 456-B Electronic/Remote Notarization Users Form and return it to the Secretary of State’s Office. Name the technology services and/or vendors you will purchase. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Obtain an X.509 (or equivalent) digital certificate as RSA 456-B requires. Provider charges are separate from any SOS process. |
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Upload your electronic seal Not applicable as an SOS seal-upload portal. The notice form is the SOS filing. Complete seal/certificate setup with the provider. |
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Pay and submit Not listed as a separate SOS dollar fee on the electronic-and-remote page or the notification form. Confirm with the office before you file. Do not perform remote or electronic acts until the notice is on file. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Unless a notary provides notice to the Secretary of State, the notary is not authorized by law to perform electronic or remote notarizations.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
The $75 application fee is from Notary Public. The electronic/remote notice form does not print a separate SOS dollar fee. Confirm current amounts with the office before you pay. Provider and certificate costs are extra.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Traditional education / exam | Not listed as a required SOS course or exam on the Notary Public page |
| Remote / electronic provider training | Paid to the technology provider (not listed as an SOS course fee) |
| Traditional application | $75 (State of New Hampshire) |
| Electronic / remote notification | Not listed as a separate SOS dollar fee on the notice form; confirm with the office |
| Surety bond | Not listed on the official Notary Public page as required |
Official New Hampshire Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Notary Public | sos.nh.gov/administration/administration/notary-public |
| Electronic and remote notarization | sos.nh.gov/electronic-and-remote-notarization |
| User notification form | sos.nh.gov/media/.../electronic-and-remote-notary-user-notification-form-2-6-22.docx |
| Secretary of State | (603) 271-3242 | [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. Hold a New Hampshire notary public commission (or other notarial-officer status the SOS recognizes), then file the electronic/remote notice before the first remote or electronic act.
Q: Does New Hampshire approve a list of RON platforms?
A: The SOS publishes a list of technology providers who have notified the office that they are qualified. The Secretary of State does not endorse any specific technology provider. You remain responsible for verifying statutory compliance.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Notary Public and Electronic and Remote Notarization.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
