Appointment and Tenure

A notary public commission is valid for four (4) years from the date the commission is issued, unless sooner revoked by the Attorney General for good cause and after due hearing or if forfeit by the notary. The commission of a notary public may be revoked by the Attorney General in any case where any change occurs in the notary’s office, occupation, residence, or employment in which the Attorney General’s judgment renders the holding of such commission no longer necessary and if the notary commits any offense that results in revocation of commission.

Within thirty (30) days of any change in the notary’s residence, office, employment, or occupation, the notary must report the same, in writing, to the notary public office. This can be done online via the https://notary.ehawaii.gov website.

Upon resignation, expiration of term, removal or abandonment, the notary public or their representative will have ninety (90) days to deliver the notary’s seal and the location of the notary journals to the Attorney General. Failure to deliver the notary’s seal and/or location of the notary’s journals will result in a fine of no less than $50 and no more than $500. This fine can be imposed on the notary’s representative.

In the event of the notary’s death or declaration of incompetency, their representative will have ninety (90) days to deliver the notary’s seal to the Attorney General. The notary’s representative will also need to deliver the location of the notary’s journals to the Attorney General or a repository approved by the Attorney General within ninety (90) days. A fine of no less than $50 and no more than $500 may be imposed on the notary’s representative for failure to comply within ninety (90) days.