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How to Become a Notary Public in New Hampshire

If you want to become a Notary Public in New Hampshire, complete the following steps:

1. Make sure you meet all of your state's qualifications (see below).

2. Complete your application. Have two NH Notaries and one NH registered voter endorse your application.

3. Sign the application in the presence of a Notary Public or a justice of the peace.

4. Complete the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and get it notarized.

5. Submit your application with the $75 fee and Criminal Record Release Authorization Form to the Secretary of State.

6. Once your application has been processed, your commission, oath, index card and other information will be mailed to you.

7. Sign and take your oath of office in the presence of two Notaries Public, two justices of the peace, or one Notary Public and one justice of the peace. Those who sign your oath must also sign your commission.

8. Return the oath to the Secretary's office as soon as possible.

9. Keep the commission for your records. Sign the index card as required and mail it to your county's Superior Court.

10. Buy your Notary seal.

11. Buy a Notary journal (optional, but strongly recommended).

12. Get E&O insurance (optional, but strongly recommended).

13. Take continuing education or consult Notary experts for guidance (optional, but strongly recommended).

If you are seeking to become a Notary Loan Signing Agent in New Hampshire it is strongly advised that you take additional training beyond the National Notary Association.

The National Notary Association helps to prepare Notaries on a very basic level. However, companies like Notary2Pro, NotaryStars, and NotaryAcademy are all very well poised to help Notary Loan Signing Agents learn the meaning of Loan Documents, How to Present Loan Documents, What You as a Notary Can Say About Loan Documents, and How to Execute Loan Documents. Ideally, the highest paid Loan Signing Agents will have taken all three of these courses and more.

Companies like Notary Stars can also help point you in the direction of additional reputable trainers within the industry who can also show you how to perform additional services like Permit Running, Apostille, Document Translations, Estate Planning, and more! These are additional sources of revenue that the National Notary Association does not cover.

More Details About the New Hampshire Notary Process

Have more questions about the Notary Public application process? Read on below.

How much does it cost?

There is a $75 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission. Additional costs for Notary tools and education courses vary depending on vendors.

Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

How long does it take?

The review and approval of New Hampshire Notary applications take from eight to 10 weeks.

How long does a New Hampshire Notary commission last?

The term of a New Hampshire Notary commission is five years.

Requirements to be a Notary in New Hampshire

Who can become a Notary?

A Notary Public applicant in New Hampshire must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a resident of New Hampshire or of an abutting state who is a Notary in that state and carries on a trade, business or practice in New Hampshire

• Be endorsed by two New Hampshire Notaries in good standing and a person registered to vote in the state

The Governor also has discretion to disqualify an applicant based on previous criminal convictions. Applicants must sign a written statement under oath whether they have been convicted of a crime that has not been annulled by a court other than minor traffic violations.

Is there training or an exam required to become an NH Notary?

No training or exam is required to apply for a New Hampshire Notary commission.

What kind of supplies will I need?

New Hampshire Notaries must use either an inked rubber stamp seal or embosser for all notarial acts for paper documents. Notaries must use an embossed official seal or an electronic or a rubber official stamp for all notarial acts. The following information must be on the seal:

• Your name as it appears on your commission

• The words "notary public, New Hampshire"

• Your commission expiration date

If you opt to use an embosser instead of a stamp, you're required to get a separate stamp that includes your commission expiration date. Your embosser must include your commission expiration date. When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging.

Notaries will be required to keep a journal, but only if they perform a notarization for a remotely located individual. However, it is strongly recommended that Notaries maintain a record of in-person notarial acts in a journal too. When purchasing a journal, there are a few important features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with numbered pages and tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

What is a surety bond and do I need one?

New Hampshire Notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond to protect signers against financial damages resulting from the Notary's negligence or misconduct. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that the Notary will fulfill their obligations to notarize in compliance with state laws. This Notary bond specifically protects the public and not the Notary. Any damages paid from the bond go to cover any signer's losses and must be paid back to the surety company by you.

Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.

Which state government office handles Notaries?

While the Governor appoints Notaries, the New Hampshire Office of the Secretary of State, located in Concord, NH, regulates and maintains records on them.

May I become a New Hampshire Notary if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become a New Hampshire Notary Public. You must, however, meet all other application requirements.

Where will I be able to notarize?

A New Hampshire Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.

Who can I notarize for?

Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization, excluding yourself.

What fees can New Hampshire Notaries charge per notarial act?

New Hampshire Notaries may charge up to $10 per oath, witness, service or certification. For services related to the taking of depositions, Notaries are entitled to the same fees as justices of the peace are entitled to receive pursuant to RSA 517:19. The fee for depositions must be at least $5 but no more than $50.

An additional fee for travel to swear witnesses may be charged. The travel fee is $0.20 per mile as mileage.

What should I do if I move or change my name?

You must notify the Secretary of State of any changes to your address or name. Failure to do so will prevent you from receiving a renewal application.

For name changes, you must indicate your former and new name and request a new commission reflecting your new name. There is a $5 fee for a new commission.

What is the process to renew my Notary Public commission?

The renewal process is the same as the process you completed for your initial commission. A renewal application will be mailed to you approximately three months prior to the date your current commission is due to expire. Renewal applications are not available online.

How do I become an electronic Notary?

To become an electronic Notary in New Hampshire, you must first hold an existing commission as a Notary Public. Once you're commissioned, inform the Secretary of State of your intent to notarize electronic documents and provide the name of the tamper-evident technology you plan to use.

What do I need to know about remote online notarization in New Hampshire?

Starting on February 6, 2022, New Hampshire Notaries may register to perform remote online notarization (RON). Before performing your first remote notarial act, you must notify the Secretary of State and provide them with the name of your chosen RON provider. Check out this detailed guide on becoming a remote online Notary in New Hampshire.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.