HI Notary Notarial Certificate Wording and Requirements 2

Question 1

What language must the notarial certificate in Hawaii be written in?

Accepted Answer

English — the certificate must be in English even if the document is in another language

Answer

Hawaii notarial certificates must be in English, even if the underlying document is written in a foreign language.

Question 2

Can a Hawaii notary complete a notarial certificate that was already partially filled in by someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the notary may complete blank portions as long as they verify the information is accurate

Answer

It is common for certificate forms to be pre-printed with some fields completed. The notary may fill in remaining blanks, sign, and seal the certificate.

Question 3

A Hawaii notary signs a notarial certificate but forgets to affix their seal. What is the effect?

Accepted Answer

The notarization may be defective or invalid — the seal is a required element

Answer

The notary seal is a required element of a Hawaii notarial certificate. A missing seal makes the notarization potentially defective.

Question 4

Which notarial certificate wording is appropriate for an acknowledgment in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

'Before me, the undersigned, personally appeared ___, who acknowledged that they signed the foregoing document'

Answer

Acknowledgment certificate language states that the signer personally appeared and acknowledged their signature — without reference to swearing or affirming.

Question 5

A Hawaii notary must notarize a document but the certificate portion does not include a venue. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Add the venue themselves by writing 'State of Hawaii, County of ___' before signing

Answer

The notary may and should add the venue if it is missing — it is a required element of a valid notarial certificate.

(HI Notary) Hawaii Notary Exam Practice Test

(HI Notary) Hawaii Notary Exam Practice Test

HI Notary Notarial Certificate Wording and Requirements 2