Hawaii
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A notary public is often needed to witness the signing of legal documents and attest to the signer's legitimacy. Citizens may apply to be notaries public in each state, and Hawaii notaries public are tested and certified by the Hawaii Attorney General's office. Notaries must witness the signing of documents in person, and never over the phone or by electronic means.
General Requirements

Applicants for notary status must be Hawaii residents, be at least 18 years old and be a U.S. citizen or be seeking citizenship. Notaries public in Hawaii must keep a seal to properly stamp documents. The seal can be a rubber stamp or facsimile stamp, and it must include the notary's name, commission number, the words "notary public" and the words "State of Hawaii." It cannot be larger than 2 inches in diameter, and if the notary is ever suspended or resigns, the seal must be turned in to the attorney general.
Applications And Fees

To apply for notary public status in Hawaii, applicants must submit the necessary application fee, provide a recommendation letter from a Hawaii resident commenting on the applicant's character, honesty and integrity, and provide a letter from the applicant's employer explaining the reason for needing notary certification, according to the Hawaii Attorney General's website. Other information may be requested of the applicant, including the applicant's legal name, proof of age, address and U.S. citizenship and whether the applicant has been convicted of a crime. Applications must also be notarized by a state-certified notary before submission. After submitting an application, applicants must wait for notification from the attorney general's office.
Exams

Once an applicant is accepted, he must pay the required examination fee, then take and pass the written notary exam. According the attorney general's website, a passing grade is at least an 80 percent, and after passing the exam, applications will receive a commission number and notary status. If an applicant fails the written exam, he can retake the test within 30 days of receiving his score without reapplying. If the applicant waits more than 30 days to take the exam after failing, he must reapply for notary status and wait for approval to retake the exam. The exam itself tests "whether the applicants have a reasonable knowledge of the general principles and practices of notary public duties, and the laws and rules pertaining to notaries public," according the Hawaii Attorney General's website.
Record Book

All notaries public must keep a record book, according to the Hawaii Administrative Rules. The record book must have sequentially numbered pages, and all transactions made by the notary public must be recorded. In the event that the notary public is suspended or turns in his resignation, the record book must be submitted to the attorney general's office within 90 days of suspension or resignation.
Practice

The notary public must display a sign saying "notary public" at the place where the notary is employed. The operating hours must also be visible, according to the Hawaii attorney general's website. Notaries are prohibited from delegating their powers to clerks, secretaries or other employees. Only the notary may use his designated commission number and stamp, with the penalty of suspension of powers.

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