Hawaii (HI)
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Research Hawaii notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Hawaii notary details against the official state database.
Visit Hawaii Official Notary Database
How to Research a Hawaii Notary
1. Go to https://notary.ehawaii.gov/notary/public/publicsearch.html
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Review the results to verify the notary is listed.
Note: Detailed commission information may require contacting the Hawaii Attorney General's office.
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Review the results to verify the notary is listed.
Note: Detailed commission information may require contacting the Hawaii Attorney General's office.
How to Verify a Hawaii Notary's Signature
Hawaii notaries are required to file a specimen of their official signature and an impression of their seal with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in their circuit of residence.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the circuit where the notary resides (or resided).
2. Request an authenticating certificate — the clerk compares the seal and signature on your document against the specimen on file.
3. Hawaii is one of the strongest states for signature verification, as specimen cards are publicly accessible.
Attorney General's Notary Public Office: (808) 586-1216
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the circuit where the notary resides (or resided).
2. Request an authenticating certificate — the clerk compares the seal and signature on your document against the specimen on file.
3. Hawaii is one of the strongest states for signature verification, as specimen cards are publicly accessible.
Attorney General's Notary Public Office: (808) 586-1216
Verifying Older Hawaii Documents
Historical signature specimen cards are maintained at the circuit courts even for expired commissions.
1. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the circuit where the notary resided — they retain filed records.
2. Alternatively, contact the Attorney General's Notary Public Office at (808) 586-1216.
Email: https://ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/email-the-notary-office/
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the circuit where the notary resided — they retain filed records.
2. Alternatively, contact the Attorney General's Notary Public Office at (808) 586-1216.
Email: https://ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/email-the-notary-office/
Commission term: 4 years.
Hawaii Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Hawaii requires every notary to maintain a seal of office to authenticate all notarized documents. Either an ink stamp or embosser is permitted.
Stamp requirements (HRS §§ 456-3, 456-16):
- Shape: Circular, not over 2" in diameter, with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: Notary's name, commission number, "Notary Public", "State of Hawaii"
- The commission expiration date must NOT appear on the seal itself — however, the expiration date must be written or stamped on every notarized document separately
- Hawaii notaries are appointed by the Attorney General and commissioned for a specific judicial circuit
- The seal must be kept in the notary's constant possession
Stamp requirements (HRS §§ 456-3, 456-16):
- Shape: Circular, not over 2" in diameter, with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: Notary's name, commission number, "Notary Public", "State of Hawaii"
- The commission expiration date must NOT appear on the seal itself — however, the expiration date must be written or stamped on every notarized document separately
- Hawaii notaries are appointed by the Attorney General and commissioned for a specific judicial circuit
- The seal must be kept in the notary's constant possession
Contacting a Hawaii Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Hawaii — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Hawaii requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed (HRS § 456-15). Journals are subject to inspection and audit by the Department of the Attorney General, but Hawaii law does not provide for general public access to notary journals.
Journal requirement:
- Notaries must maintain a journal (tangible or electronic format) chronicling all notarial acts.
- Required journal entries include: type, date, and time of the notarial act; title/type and date of the document; full printed name and address of each person whose signature is notarized; signature of that person (if tangible journal); method of identification (personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, including description of identification credential presented, ID number, and expiration date) (HRS § 456-15).
- Failure to comply with journal requirements subjects the notary to an administrative fine of $50 to $500.
Right to inspect:
- Hawaii law does not grant the general public a statutory right to inspect notary journals.
- Journals are subject to inspection and audit by the Department of the Attorney General at any time without prior notice (HRS § 456-15).
- Parties seeking journal access may need to request the information directly from the notary (who may decline) or obtain a court order or subpoena to compel production.
What can be requested:
- If the notary voluntarily provides access or if compelled by court order, the following may be available: type, date, and time of notarial act; document description; signer's name and address; method of identification and credential details (ID number, expiration date); signer's signature (if tangible journal).
- Thumbprints: Hawaii does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Hawaii does not have a statutory framework for public access to notary journals; access typically requires the notary's cooperation or a court order/subpoena.
- Upon resignation, expiration, revocation, or suspension of a commission, the notary must retain the journal for 10 years and provide the Attorney General with the journal's location (HRS § 456-15).
- Upon death or adjudication of incompetency, the notary's personal representative or guardian must transmit the journal to the Attorney General or an approved repository within 90 days.
- Retention period: 10 years after the last notarial act chronicled in the journal.
- Contact: Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office — (808) 586-1216
Relevant statutes: HRS § 456-15
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Hawaii requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed (HRS § 456-15). Journals are subject to inspection and audit by the Department of the Attorney General, but Hawaii law does not provide for general public access to notary journals.
Journal requirement:
- Notaries must maintain a journal (tangible or electronic format) chronicling all notarial acts.
- Required journal entries include: type, date, and time of the notarial act; title/type and date of the document; full printed name and address of each person whose signature is notarized; signature of that person (if tangible journal); method of identification (personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, including description of identification credential presented, ID number, and expiration date) (HRS § 456-15).
- Failure to comply with journal requirements subjects the notary to an administrative fine of $50 to $500.
Right to inspect:
- Hawaii law does not grant the general public a statutory right to inspect notary journals.
- Journals are subject to inspection and audit by the Department of the Attorney General at any time without prior notice (HRS § 456-15).
- Parties seeking journal access may need to request the information directly from the notary (who may decline) or obtain a court order or subpoena to compel production.
What can be requested:
- If the notary voluntarily provides access or if compelled by court order, the following may be available: type, date, and time of notarial act; document description; signer's name and address; method of identification and credential details (ID number, expiration date); signer's signature (if tangible journal).
- Thumbprints: Hawaii does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Hawaii does not have a statutory framework for public access to notary journals; access typically requires the notary's cooperation or a court order/subpoena.
- Upon resignation, expiration, revocation, or suspension of a commission, the notary must retain the journal for 10 years and provide the Attorney General with the journal's location (HRS § 456-15).
- Upon death or adjudication of incompetency, the notary's personal representative or guardian must transmit the journal to the Attorney General or an approved repository within 90 days.
- Retention period: 10 years after the last notarial act chronicled in the journal.
- Contact: Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Notary Public Office — (808) 586-1216
Relevant statutes: HRS § 456-15
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.