NH NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NH NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the maximum criminal penalty tier for a NH notary who willfully commits notarial misconduct under RSA 456-B? → A Class B misdemeanor or higher depending on the nature and harm of the misconduct
2. If a New Hampshire notary public is uncertain about the legality of a notarization, what should they do? → Contact the Secretary of State for guidance
3. Which of the following is required for a New Hampshire notary public to notarize a document? → The signer must be identified by satisfactory evidence
4. If a New Hampshire notary public performs a notarization for a friend and decides not to charge a fee, is this allowed? → Yes, notaries may waive fees at their discretion
5. What is a signature by mark in the context of NH notarizations? → A physical mark (such as an X) made by a signer unable to write their name
6. How long must a New Hampshire notary public retain records of notarizations performed? → There is no record retention requirement
7. A friend asks a New Hampshire notary public to notarize a document without charging a fee. Is this ethical? → Yes, notaries can waive the fee at their discretion
8. Must a NH notary applicant be a resident of New Hampshire? → Yes, NH residency is required to obtain a NH notary commission
9. How long is the term of a New Hampshire notary public commission? → 5 years
10. Under New Hampshire notary law, may an employer require a notary to surrender their stamp upon leaving employment? → No, because the stamp belongs to the notary personally, not the employer
11. A NH notary is asked to notarize a document that appears to facilitate fraud. What is the proper action? → Refuse to perform the notarial act
12. Which statement about a New Hampshire notary's stamp is TRUE? → The notary must obtain a new stamp reflecting the new expiration date upon renewal
13. If a NH notary's commission is revoked, what must they do with their seal? → Surrender or destroy it as directed by the Secretary of State
14. Where is the NH notary's oath of office filed? → With the Secretary of State
15. If a NH notary cannot satisfactorily identify a signer, what is the correct course of action? → Refuse to perform the notarial act
16. During a NH remote online notarization, the signer must appear: → Via real-time audio-visual communication on an approved platform
17. What is the primary purpose of maintaining a notary journal? → To provide evidence of proper notarization in case of dispute
18. What should be recorded in the journal when a credible witness is used to identify a signer? → The credible witness's name and their relationship to the signer
19. Under NH law, who is responsible for the security of a notary's official stamp? → The notary public personally
20. Which document is the MOST reliable form of satisfactory evidence of identity for a NH notary? → A current U.S. passport with photo and signature
21. For NH RON, what must the notary's electronic signature be? → A cryptographically secure electronic signature that is unique to the notary
22. When notarizing for a signer who cannot speak English in New Hampshire, what should the notary do? → Use a qualified interpreter and note this in the certificate if necessary
23. What New Hampshire statute governs remote online notarization (RON)? → RSA 455-G
24. When notarizing multiple documents for the same signer in one session, how many journal entries are recommended? → A separate entry for each notarial act performed
25. Which act is strictly prohibited for a NH notary public? → Notarizing a document in which the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest
26. Is it ethical for a New Hampshire notary public to notarize a document in which they have a direct financial or beneficial interest? → No, under any circumstances
27. A NH notary's commission certificate is lost or destroyed. What should the notary do? → Contact the NH Secretary of State to request a replacement certificate
28. Can a NH notary notarize a document signed by a person who is known to the notary only by reputation but not personally? → No, personal knowledge requires direct personal acquaintance, not reputation alone
29. When a NH notary performs a copy certification, what are they attesting to? → That the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original
30. When using a credible witness to identify a signer before a NH notary, how many credible witnesses are needed if the witness is unknown to the notary? → Two credible witnesses, both of whom personally know the signer