Hawaii Notary Bond— $1,000 • Circuit Court Judge Approval • 4-Year Term
Hawaii's $1,000 bond per HRS §456-5 is one of the lowest in the nation, but comes with a requirement found in no other state: your bond must be approved by a circuit court judge before filing with the clerk. This adds approximately 10-14 calendar days to the process. Administered by the Attorney General's Office (not a Secretary of State). You must also pass an 80% written exam, and the total cost including all fees is approximately $186+. RON has been permanently authorized since January 1, 2021.
You pay nothing until bonded — instant approval once you order
Get Your $1,000 Hawaii Bond
Judge approval required (~10-14 days)
The Judge Approval Process — Why Hawaii Is Unique
In every other state, you file your notary bond directly with the Secretary of State or a county clerk, and it becomes effective immediately. Hawaii is the only state where a circuit court judge must personally review and approve your bond before it can be deposited with the clerk. This judicial gatekeeping means you cannot notarize anything until the judge signs off. Learn what a surety bond is and how to get one.
The approval typically takes 10-14 calendar days, though it can take longer during busy court periods. You submit your bond to the circuit court in the judicial circuit where you reside. Hawaii has four circuits:
Source: HRS §456-5 | AG FAQ
How to Become a Hawaii Notary (Step-by-Step)
Hawaii notaries are commissioned by the Attorney General's Office, not a Secretary of State. The process involves an exam, application, bond purchase, judicial approval, and circuit court filing. No competitor walks through the complete process including the judge approval step. Need background on types of surety bonds? Start with our surety bond basics guide.
Pass the Written Exam (80% Required)
Oahu: 2nd Wednesday monthly. Neighbor islands: quarterly. $10 fee. Results in 30 days. Covers HRS §§456-1 through 456-21. Renewal applicants who previously passed are exempt.
Submit Application to the Attorney General
$20 application fee + $100 commission issuance fee. You must include a justification letter explaining why you need a commission and a character reference letter. Applications available at notary.ehawaii.gov.
Purchase Your $1,000 Surety Bond
Must be from a surety company authorized to transact business in Hawaii. Get instant approval at BuySuretyBonds.com — your bond will be ready before the judge review begins.
Submit Bond to Circuit Court Judge (~10-14 Days)
Deliver your bond to the circuit court judge in your residence circuit. The judge reviews the bond and surety company, then approves it. This is the waiting period unique to Hawaii.
File Approved Bond with Circuit Court Clerk ($6)
Once the judge approves, deposit the bond with the circuit court clerk. Also file: commission photocopy, seal impression, and signature specimen. Clerk records bond in the official "bond record" book.
Begin Notarizing — 4-Year Commission
Your commission is active once the bond is filed. Max fee: $5/act (traditional), $25/act (RON). Maintain your notary journal and comply with HRS Chapter 456.
Critical: 90-Day Filing Deadline
After the Attorney General approves your commission, you have exactly 90 calendar days to file your bond with the circuit court clerk. If you miss this deadline, your application is voided entirely — you must restart the process and repay all fees. No extensions are granted. Plan ahead, especially if you are on a neighbor island where mail delays can eat into your window.
Official Hawaii Requirements
"Each notary public shall execute, at the notary public's own expense, an official bond in the sum of $1,000 with a surety company authorized to transact business in the State as surety, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the office."Hawaii Attorney General • HRS §456-5
What You Actually Pay: ~$186+
No competitor we found aggregates the real all-in cost for Hawaii. Here's every fee you'll pay to become a commissioned notary public in the Aloha State. Use our notary bond calculator for a personalized bond premium estimate, or see our surety bond cost guide for how premiums work.
Bond premium depends on your credit profile. Most applicants with decent credit pay $35–$50 for the full 4-year term. Compare with California's $15,000 bond, Texas's $10,000 bond, and notary bond costs by state. Compare a bond vs. cash deposit.
Get Your $1,000 Hawaii Notary Bond
Have your bond ready before the judge approval process begins. Instant approval, no credit check required.
Get Your Bond NowEligibility, Notarial Acts & Fee Limits
Who Can Apply
- Age 18 or older
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident pursuing citizenship
- Hawaii resident
- Pass 80% written exam
- No narcotics addiction, dependence, or habitual use
- No fraud/false statement/wrongful taking convictions
- Justification letter + character reference required
Government Exemption
State/county employees acting as notaries in their official capacity are exempt from the bond requirement and application fees. The employing department pays. They may not charge notary fees.
Notarial Acts & Fee Limits
Charging more is a violation of HRS Chapter 456.
- • Acknowledgments
- • Jurats (verification on oath/affirmation)
- • Oaths and affirmations
- • Protestations of negotiable instruments
- • Attestation of documents
Personal knowledge, valid government-issued photo ID, or a credible witness known to the notary.
Seal & Journal Requirements
- • “Notary Public”
- • “State of Hawaii”
- • Your exact commissioned name
- • Commission expiration date
Required for all notarial acts. Record: date, time, type of act, document type, signer name, ID method, fees charged. Maintain for 10 years after last entry.
Seal impression must be filed with the circuit court clerk as part of your bond filing. Keep a specimen on record.
Learn more about what a notary bond is, general notary requirements, or browse all surety bonds. Hawaii vehicle dealers must also carry a Hawaii auto dealer bond, and contractors licensed to work in the state need a Hawaii contractor license bond. Understand how bonds differ from insurance and review the surety bond glossary.
Multi-Island Logistics: Oahu vs. Neighbor Islands
Hawaii's geography creates unique challenges for notary applicants. The Attorney General's notary section is headquartered in Honolulu, and processes differ depending on which island you live on. No competitor addresses this. Hawaii residents looking for other bonds can browse our trusted surety bond provider for a full selection.
Oahu Applicants
- Monthly exam availability (2nd Wednesday)
- In-person commission pickup available
- First Circuit Court at 777 Punchbowl St
- Fastest overall processing time
Neighbor Island Applicants
- Quarterly exam schedule only
- Commission mailed (add 5-7 business days)
- Bond filing at your local circuit court
- Plan for 90-day deadline with mail buffer
Exam Locations by Island
Exact schedules posted at ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public. Check before planning travel.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Hawaii
Hawaii permanently authorized RON on January 1, 2021 via Act 54 (SB 2275). The same $1,000 bond covers both traditional and remote notarial acts. A separate $20 RON application is required. Track regulatory changes in our 2025-2026 state bond changes roundup.
RON Requirements
- Authorized under Act 54 (SB 2275)
- Same $1,000 bond — no additional bond
- Separate $20 RON application fee
- Notary must be physically in Hawaii
- Signer can be anywhere in the world
- Two-way audio-video required
- Max RON fee: $25/act
RON vs. Traditional Comparison
RON commission expires same date as traditional commission.
Compare remote notarization rules: Texas RON | Florida RON | Nevada RON. See all notary bond states.
Renewal: Timely ($40) vs. Late ($90)
Hawaii incentivizes early renewal with a significant cost difference. Your notary bond must also be renewed — you cannot use an expired bond.
Timely Renewal (Within 60 Days of Expiration)
- • Renewal fee: $40
- • No re-examination if previously passed
- • New $1,000 surety bond required
- • Must still go through judge approval
- • Same 90-day filing deadline applies
Late Renewal (After Expiration)
- • Late renewal fee: $90 (125% more)
- • May require re-examination
- • New bond required
- • Cannot notarize between expiration and renewal
- • Acts performed on an expired commission are void
Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your commission expires. See our notary bond requirements guide for renewal tips across all states.
Prohibited Acts & When Bond Claims Happen
Your $1,000 surety bond protects the public — not you. If you commit a prohibited act and someone suffers a loss, they can file a bond claim against your bond. The surety pays the claim, then you repay the surety.
Prohibited Acts Under HRS §456
- • Notarizing your own signature
- • Notarizing when you have a financial interest
- • Notarizing without the signer physically present (unless RON-authorized)
- • Charging more than $5/act (traditional) or $25/act (RON)
- • Performing notarial acts outside your commission period
- • Failing to maintain a notary journal
- • Using an unofficial seal or stamp
Consequences of Violations
- • Bond claim: Public files claim, surety pays up to $1,000, you reimburse surety
- • Commission revocation: AG can revoke your commission
- • Civil liability: Personal liability for damages beyond bond amount
- • Criminal penalties: Fraud-related violations may result in prosecution
Hawaii's $1,000 bond is low compared to states like California ($15K), meaning personal liability exposure is higher.
Hawaii vs. Other States: Bond Comparison
How does Hawaii's $1,000 bond compare? Here's a side-by-side with popular and nearby states. Hawaii has one of the lowest bond amounts but one of the most complex filing processes due to judge approval. See our surety bond requirements guide for broader context.
| State | Bond Amount | Term | Exam? | Judge Approval? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $1,000 | 4 years | Yes (80%) | Yes |
| California | $15,000 | 4 years | No | No |
| Texas | $10,000 | 4 years | No | No |
| Florida | $7,500 | 4 years | No | No |
| Alaska | $2,500 | 4 years | No | No |
| Nevada | $10,000 | 4 years | Yes | No |
Hawaii's low bond amount means lower premium costs, but the judge approval process adds time that other states don't require. Compare all states on our notary bonds hub page or use the notary bond cost guide.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you. Most Hawaii notaries carry both. See our bond vs. insurance comparison.
Hawaii Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a judge need to approve my Hawaii notary bond?
Per HRS §456-5, your $1,000 bond must be approved by a judge of the circuit court in your residence circuit before it can be deposited with the clerk. This takes approximately 10-14 calendar days. You cannot perform any notarial acts until the judge approves the bond and it is filed with the clerk. This judicial approval requirement is unique to Hawaii — no other U.S. state requires a judge to personally approve a notary bond.
What is the total cost to become a Hawaii notary?
Approximately $186+: $35-50 bond premium, $10 exam fee, $20 application fee, $100 commission issuance fee, and $6 circuit court filing fee. If you also apply for Remote Online Notarization (RON), add $20. Seal and journal are additional costs not paid to the state. Source: notary.ehawaii.gov.
How often is the Hawaii notary exam offered?
On Oahu: usually the second Wednesday of each month. Neighbor islands (Maui, Big Island, Kauai): quarterly. Results within 30 calendar days for traditional exams, 14 days for RON exams. Passing score: 80% or higher. Renewal candidates who previously passed the exam are exempt from re-examination, but must still pay the $40 renewal fee (or $90 if late).
Are government notaries exempt from the bond requirement?
Yes — state and county employees acting as notaries in their official capacity are exempt from the $1,000 bond requirement under HRS §456-5. They are also exempt from application fees. However, they may not charge notary fees for any acts performed in their government role. The employing department covers any bond costs.
What is the 90-day filing deadline and what happens if I miss it?
After your commission is approved by the Attorney General, you have exactly 90 calendar days to file your bond with the circuit court clerk. If you miss this deadline, your application is voided and you must start the entire process over — including repaying the $20 application fee and $100 commission fee. There are no extensions.
What are the disqualifying conditions for a Hawaii notary?
Per the AG application instructions: narcotics addiction, dependence, or habitual use, and felony or misdemeanor convictions involving fraud, false statements, or wrongful taking of property. A character reference letter and justification letter are required with every application. The AG reviews each application individually, and prior convictions do not automatically disqualify you if you can demonstrate rehabilitation.
Official Hawaii Sources
Track state bond law changes: 2025-2026 state bond changes. Need other bond types? See contractor license bonds, auto dealer bonds, or browse all bond types.
HRS §456-5 (Bond Statute)
$1,000 bond, judge approval, surety requirements
AG — Notaries Public
Applications, exam schedule, forms
Online Portal & FAQs
Judge approval process, filing, fees
Fees & Services
$10 exam, $20 app, $100 commission, $40/$90 renewal
HRS Chapter 456 (Full)
Complete notary public statute
Act 54 (RON Authorization)
Permanent RON since Jan 1, 2021 (SB 2275)
AG Notary Section Contact: Department of the Attorney General, 425 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 • Phone: (808) 586-1500
Related Guides & Resources
Other Hawaii Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Hawaii
Aloha to Your Notary Commission
$1,000 Hawaii bond • Judge-approved • 4-year term • Instant approval • RON-ready