New Hampshire (NH)
No Public Database
Research New Hampshire notary commissions. New Hampshire does not maintain a publicly accessible notary database.
Visit New Hampshire Official Notary Database
How to Research a New Hampshire Notary
New Hampshire does not offer a public online notary search database.
New Hampshire also does NOT issue commission numbers to notaries.
To verify a New Hampshire notary commission:
1. Call the Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242.
2. Provide the notary's full name and request commission verification.
3. You may also email administration@sos.nh.gov with the notary's name and request commission status.
4. Written requests can be mailed to:
New Hampshire Secretary of State
State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Reference: https://www.sos.nh.gov/notary-public
New Hampshire also does NOT issue commission numbers to notaries.
To verify a New Hampshire notary commission:
1. Call the Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242.
2. Provide the notary's full name and request commission verification.
3. You may also email administration@sos.nh.gov with the notary's name and request commission status.
4. Written requests can be mailed to:
New Hampshire Secretary of State
State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Reference: https://www.sos.nh.gov/notary-public
How to Verify a New Hampshire Notary's Signature
New Hampshire notaries file their oath of office with the Secretary of State's office. The signature specimen is maintained by the Secretary of State.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242.
2. Provide the notary's full name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. The Secretary of State can confirm whether the person holds or held a valid commission at the time of notarization.
Reference: RSA 455
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242.
2. Provide the notary's full name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. The Secretary of State can confirm whether the person holds or held a valid commission at the time of notarization.
Reference: RSA 455
Verifying Older New Hampshire Documents
New Hampshire does not maintain a public online archive of expired notary commissions.
1. Contact the Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242 for historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. New Hampshire does not issue commission numbers, so identification is by name only.
Address: New Hampshire Secretary of State, State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Commission term: 5 years.
1. Contact the Secretary of State's office at (603) 271-3242 for historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. New Hampshire does not issue commission numbers, so identification is by name only.
Address: New Hampshire Secretary of State, State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Commission term: 5 years.
New Hampshire Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
New Hampshire requires notaries to use an official seal or rubber stamp on all notarized documents. Either an embossed seal or a rubber stamp is acceptable.
Seal requirements (RSA 455:3):
- Must include: the notary's name, the words "Notary Public, New Hampshire", and the commission expiration date
- Either an embossed seal or rubber stamp is permitted
- The notary is responsible for obtaining their own seal; the Secretary of State does not provide stamps or seals
- New Hampshire does NOT issue commission numbers, so no number appears on the seal
- New Hampshire notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Seal requirements (RSA 455:3):
- Must include: the notary's name, the words "Notary Public, New Hampshire", and the commission expiration date
- Either an embossed seal or rubber stamp is permitted
- The notary is responsible for obtaining their own seal; the Secretary of State does not provide stamps or seals
- New Hampshire does NOT issue commission numbers, so no number appears on the seal
- New Hampshire notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire — Contacting the Notary for Verification
New Hampshire does not require notaries public to maintain a journal for traditional in-person notarizations. However, journals are mandatory for remote online notarizations (RON) performed under RSA 456-B.
Journal requirements:
- Traditional notarizations: No journal required (though the National Notary Association recommends maintaining one).
- Remote online notarizations (RON): Journal required for all remote notarial acts (RSA 456-B:8-c).
- Format: Journal may be created on tangible medium or in electronic format. A notary shall maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts.
- Contemporaneous entries: Journal entries must be made contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act.
- Retention: Journals for remote notarizations must be preserved for at least 10 years.
Accessing notary records:
- For traditional notarizations: Because journals are not required, most notaries do not maintain them. No records may be available.
- For remote notarizations: Access to journals and audio-visual recordings would typically require the notary's consent, a court-issued subpoena, or other legal process.
- Law enforcement and courts may obtain records through appropriate legal channels.
Audio-visual recordings (RON):
- Remote notarizations require creation of audio-visual recordings of the entire notarial act.
- These recordings must be retained for at least 10 years by the notary, guardian, conservator, agent, or personal representative.
Key considerations:
- New Hampshire's journal requirements are limited to remote online notarizations.
- Lost/stolen journals: If a journal is lost or stolen, the notary must promptly notify the Secretary of State.
- Most traditional notaries in New Hampshire do not maintain journals, as they are not legally required to do so.
Contact:
- New Hampshire Secretary of State, Administration Division — (603) 271-3242
- Email: administration@sos.nh.gov
- Website: sos.nh.gov/notary-public
- Address: State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Relevant statutes: RSA 456-B (Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), RSA 456-B:8-c (Journal)
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.
New Hampshire does not require notaries public to maintain a journal for traditional in-person notarizations. However, journals are mandatory for remote online notarizations (RON) performed under RSA 456-B.
Journal requirements:
- Traditional notarizations: No journal required (though the National Notary Association recommends maintaining one).
- Remote online notarizations (RON): Journal required for all remote notarial acts (RSA 456-B:8-c).
- Format: Journal may be created on tangible medium or in electronic format. A notary shall maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts.
- Contemporaneous entries: Journal entries must be made contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act.
- Retention: Journals for remote notarizations must be preserved for at least 10 years.
Accessing notary records:
- For traditional notarizations: Because journals are not required, most notaries do not maintain them. No records may be available.
- For remote notarizations: Access to journals and audio-visual recordings would typically require the notary's consent, a court-issued subpoena, or other legal process.
- Law enforcement and courts may obtain records through appropriate legal channels.
Audio-visual recordings (RON):
- Remote notarizations require creation of audio-visual recordings of the entire notarial act.
- These recordings must be retained for at least 10 years by the notary, guardian, conservator, agent, or personal representative.
Key considerations:
- New Hampshire's journal requirements are limited to remote online notarizations.
- Lost/stolen journals: If a journal is lost or stolen, the notary must promptly notify the Secretary of State.
- Most traditional notaries in New Hampshire do not maintain journals, as they are not legally required to do so.
Contact:
- New Hampshire Secretary of State, Administration Division — (603) 271-3242
- Email: administration@sos.nh.gov
- Website: sos.nh.gov/notary-public
- Address: State House, Room 204, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Relevant statutes: RSA 456-B (Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), RSA 456-B:8-c (Journal)
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.