How Do You Become An Online Notary In Hawaii?

Starting January 1, 2021, Hawaiian notaries were able to apply for remote online notarizations (RONs). To join the group of notaries public providing notarization through a remote method in the state of Hawaii, you are lucky: for that, you just need to take a few straightforward steps:

1. Maintain a current commission as a traditional Notary Public.
2. Submit a Remote Online Notary application ($20).
3. Schedule a Remote Online Notary examination ($10).
4. Order & pay for the Remote Online Notary commission ($100).
5. Receive your Commission.
   

Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Hawaii and approved with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state’s local Online Notary laws!

How to Become a Traditional Notary in Hawaii (Get your Notary Commission)

Individuals aiming to become a Notary Public in Hawaii must complete the following steps:

1. Ensure compliance with Hawaii’s eligibility criteria (refer to details below).
2. Submit your application online.
3. Remit the $20 filing fee to the State Director of Finance, unless you qualify for an exemption.
4. Provide a letter of justification and character.
5. Create an online account and schedule your examination. Expect to receive your examination date, time, and location, typically within a few weeks.
6. Successfully pass the examination and submit the $100 commission fee.
7. Acquire your Notary seal and journal.
8. Procure a $1,000 four-year surety bond, subject to approval by a circuit court judge.
9. File a copy of your commission, an imprint of your Notary seal, and a specimen of your Notary signature with the clerk of the circuit court in your residential jurisdiction. Note that a filing fee applies.
10. If you are pondering retention of an Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy to reduce financial pressures (such insurance is voluntary but kindly recommended).
11. Strengthening your understanding of the topic and improving your capabilities are good reasons to sign up for extra courses and get help from veteran Notary experts (preferred but not a must).

After completing the whole process and receiving your commission, you are now set and ready to proceed with notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Hawaii.

What are the requirements to become a Notary in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires that a notary provide the necessary stamp and be of the right qualifications if they are to register. All candidates must:

1. Attain a minimum age of 18 years.
2. Establish residency in Hawaii.
3. Hold citizenship status as either a U.S. citizen, national, or a permanent resident alien authorized to work in the United States.
4. Display fluent command of the English language in terms of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
5. Must not show indications of addiction, dependence, or usual consumption of drugs, downers, uppers, psychedelics, heroin, cocaine, or any other substances or the like.

For further details, consult the Hawaii Notary Public Manual or the Hawaii SoS Website.

Are Online Notaries Legal in Hawaii?

Indeed, Notaries in Hawaii have the authority to conduct online notarizations within the state, courtesy of Senate Bill 2275. In addition to obtaining a notary public commission, the notary is required to submit a notary application to the Department of the Attorney General.

How to Become an Online Notary in Hawaii

Hawaii Online Notary FAQ’s

Requirements for Becoming a Remote Notary in Hawaii

Before embarking on remote online notarizations in Hawaii, it’s imperative to satisfy the state’s prerequisites, which include holding an active commission as a traditional Notary Public. The following are the requirements for eligibility: You are only eligible if you are a citizen of the U.S., a national, or a green card holder who is at least 18 years old and living in Hawaii recently or if you are not able to work in the U.S. legally, and you have to know English very well to be qualified, and you must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English proficiently.

Therefore, candidates for notary public appointments may not be alcoholics, addicts, topers, or dipso. Apart from these, they can not be persons habitually using drugs such as narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, opiates, cocaine, or any combination of such drugs that has similar effects.

Guidelines for the Training and Examination of Online Notaries.

Additionally, applicants for notary office are required to show that they do not have a problem with taking drugs, like narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, opium, cocaine, or similar drugs or their derivatives, often or at all.

Training and Examination Requirements for Online Notaries

To become an online Notary in Hawaii remotely, it is necessary to pass a test. The test has to be scheduled by the applicant in question, the registration for which can be done in person, exclusively on the Hawaii Government website. Through… The appointee must also set up an appointment to take the test there. By the means of…Tools and Technology for Online Notarizations in Hawaii:

To become a notary in Hawaii you need to have a computer, webcam, microphone, and a secure internet connection which are of course part of the basic tools you must have. Firstly, your computer has to be able to handle real-time two-way audio and video communication. Besides, you have to make an agreement with a RON (Remote Online Notarization) provider that complies with the laws of the state. The technology that is suitable for RON is deemed as such by the Secretary of State and the latter has given a go-ahead to companies like BlueNotary.

Plus, to carry out remote notarizations you will definitely have to get a bunch of other equipment such as the electronic journal, the electronic seal, and the digital certificate that contains your electronic signature. These items should all be by your RON provider’s conditions.

Is an Additional Surety Bond Required?

Notaries in Hawaii are not required to acquire another surety bond aside from the ordinary $1,000 bond to be able to perform their notarial activities. However, it is recommended to check with your bond provider to make sure your coverage includes remote Notary services.

E&O Insurance in Hawaii

No, the state of Hawaii has not made it obligatory for Notaries to get errors and omissions (E&O) coverage for remote notarizations. In any case, it would still be a good idea to buy such insurance, since it may minimize the damage to your pocket in case of legal issues that can be of high cost to you if the errors happened unknowingly on the notarized documents.

How to Become an Online Notary in Hawaii

What to Expect as a Notary?

Just like other careers, the number of tasks an online notary public has to do can be of great diversity. In general, the most unsettled period is the time when taxes are being filed, because papers like tax returns have to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. Many businesses need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?

Being an online notary implies the responsibility of meeting the requirements set out in the state when creating documents. A part of it is making sure the documents are notarized and duly witnessed. The usual principle is that the paper has to contain the complete details needed for proper notarization. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their  client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those who are doing it online.

How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Hawaii?

As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.

BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.

Why Should You Think about Becoming An Online Notary In Hawaii?

Becoming an Online Notary in Hawaii is a simple way to offer convenient and secure services to clients from wherever you are. Online Notaries offer faster booking and easier document completion turnaround times! Save clients and yourself time by working from home. What are you waiting for?

How do I Start Notarizing Online in Hawaii?

A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. You will find the necessary tips and support from other notaries in Hawaii who have already done the procedure and can clarify your inquiries.

Becoming a web-based notary could be an incredible opportunity to earn some extra cash and be an agent of change in the local community. As an online notary, you have the chance to select a platform that will find clients for you.

BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and for an independent notary looking to grow their own business. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.

Register and get started here: Sign Up.