HI Notary - Hawaii Notary Performing Notarial Acts Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Hawaii notary public is asked to notarize a document for an individual who is physically unable to sign their name. According to Hawaii Revised Statutes, which of the following is a required step for the notary to sign on behalf of the disabled person?

Accepted Answer

The notary must obtain a written certificate from a doctor verifying the person's physical disability and capacity to communicate intentions.

Answer

Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 456-19 specifies that if a person cannot physically sign, a notary may sign on their behalf, provided the notary obtains a written doctor's certificate. This certificate must confirm the person's inability to sign due to the disability and their ability to communicate their intentions. The notary must also write 'Signature affixed by notary pursuant to section 456-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes.' beneath the signature.

Question 2

When performing a notarial act in Hawaii, which of the following is NOT a mandatory element of the notary's journal entry?

Accepted Answer

The fee charged for the notarial service.

Answer

While it is good practice and often included, recording the fee is not explicitly mandated by Hawaii Revised Statutes §456-15 as a required element of the journal entry. The law does require recording the type and date/time of the act, the signer's information and signature, and the method of identification.

Question 3

A person presents a valid, unexpired passport from a foreign country as identification for a notarization in Hawaii. According to the Hawaii Notary Public Manual, is this an acceptable form of identification?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a current identification document issued by a national government containing the bearer's photograph and signature is acceptable.

Answer

The Hawaii Notary Public Manual states that proof of a signer's identity can be evidenced by a current identification card or document issued by the United States, the State of Hawaii, any other state, or a national government, as long as it contains the bearer's photograph and signature.

Question 4

Which of the following acts is a Hawaii notary public authorized to perform?

Accepted Answer

Taking an acknowledgment.

Answer

Hawaii law explicitly lists 'taking an acknowledgment' as a primary duty of a notary public. Notaries are prohibited from drafting legal documents or providing legal advice, as this constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. While notaries can certify copies of some documents, they are generally not authorized to certify copies of vital records like birth certificates, which must be obtained from the issuing government agency.

Question 5

A Hawaii notary public maintains their journal in a standard, bound, tangible format. According to Hawaii law, for how long must the notary retain this journal after the date of the last notarial act recorded within it?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

Hawaii Revised Statutes §456-15 and Hawaii Administrative Rules §5-11-9(f) both mandate that a notary public must retain their journal for a period of ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal.

(HI Notary) Hawaii Notary Exam Practice Test

(HI Notary) Hawaii Notary Exam Practice Test

HI Notary - Hawaii Notary Performing Notarial Acts Questions and Answers