The Hawaii notary public examination is a closed-book written test administered by the Department of the Attorney General. It checks whether you have a reasonable knowledge of Hawaii notary law before you can be commissioned. The law itself is compact and well-defined across three open sources, which makes focused preparation straightforward once you know where the facts come from.
What is the pass mark for the Hawaii notary exam?
The minimum passing score is 80 percent. Hawaii Administrative Rules section 5-11-32 requires that at least eighty per cent of the questions be answered correctly. This is the one number the state publishes for the examination, and it is the standard this app’s mock exams are scored against.
How many questions are on the Hawaii notary exam?
The Department of the Attorney General does not publish the official question count or time limit for the examination. Our practice mock uses 50 questions in 60 minutes, requiring 40 of 50 correct to clear the same 80 percent bar. This gives you a full sitting to rehearse under realistic conditions, but the actual exam may differ in length.
What topics does the Hawaii notary exam cover?
The exam draws from three sources of Hawaii law, and questions can appear from any part of each:
- HRS Chapter 456: the core notary statute, covering appointment and qualifications, powers and authorized acts, the official seal and signature, the journal and records, fees, the surety bond, and grounds for discipline.
- HRS sections 502-41 to 502-74: the statutory acknowledgment forms and the rules for recording conveyances in Hawaii.
- HAR Chapter 5-11: the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General’s administrative rules for notaries public, including the 80 percent pass mark, conduct standards, prohibited acts, fees, and procedures.
This app organises the content across 11 study categories that mirror these source areas: Commission and Qualifications, Powers and Authorized Acts, Conduct and Prohibited Acts, Seal and Official Signature, Identifying Signers, Notarial Certificates, Journal and Records, Acknowledgment Law (HRS 502), Fees, Bond and Filing, and Discipline and Penalties.
How often is the Hawaii notary exam offered?
On Oahu, examinations are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month. On the neighbor islands, examinations are held quarterly. This schedule means the window to sit the exam is limited, and missing a date can add weeks to your timeline. It is worth checking the current schedule with the Department of the Attorney General before you apply.
What does it cost to take the Hawaii notary exam?
Several nonrefundable fees apply under HAR 5-11-46, on top of the required bond:
- Application: $20
- Each examination sitting: $10
- Issuance of the commission: $100
- Surety bond: $1,000, required by HRS 456-5 before the commission takes effect
Once commissioned, you must also file a copy of your commission, an impression of your official seal, and a specimen of your official signature with the clerk of the circuit court under HRS 456-4.
What happens if I need to retake the Hawaii notary exam?
Each retake costs $10. An applicant who fails the examination twice must wait ninety days from the date of the last examination before reapplying. There is no limit on the total number of attempts, but the ninety-day cooling-off period after a second failure makes it worth preparing thoroughly before your first sitting.
A Hawaii notary commission runs for a four-year term. On reappointment, notaries are subject to the same examination requirement.
How to prepare
Every question on the Hawaii notary exam comes from the text of HRS Chapter 456, HRS sections 502-41 to 502-74, or HAR Chapter 5-11. Studying from these sources, rather than summaries, is the most reliable approach because the exam tests the precise wording of the rules, fees, and deadlines, not just the general concepts.
- Drill fees and deadlines: the $1,000 bond, the $5 acknowledgment fee per party (HRS 456-17), the 10-year journal retention period (HAR 5-11-9), and the 30-day notice requirement for changes in information on file (HAR 5-11-10).
- Know both the HRS 456 notary powers and the HRS 502 acknowledgment forms, as both appear on the exam.
- Practice at the real 80 percent bar so you sit with confidence rather than margin to spare.