What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in New Hampshire

To become a notary public in New Hampshire, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma or any prior experience. The process involves completing a notary education course, passing an exam, and submitting your process to the New Hampshire Secretary of State along with the required fee and documents.

New Hampshire does not require you to work for a specific employer or business to become a notary — you can be self-employed, retired, or employed in any field. The state also does not mandate that you renew your notary commission through continuing education, though you will need to renew your commission every five years by paying a renewal fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a New Hampshire resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
  • Complete a notary education course (offered online or in person) and pass the state exam before you submit your process.
  • Submit your process, exam results, and the process fee to the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office.
  • Your notary commission lasts five years and can be renewed by submitting a renewal process and fee before your current commission expires.
  • You do not need to work for an employer or business — you can be a notary while self-employed, retired, or working in any other field.

Step 1: Complete a Notary Education Course

New Hampshire requires you to complete an approved notary education course before you can take the exam. The Secretary of State's office maintains a list of approved course providers on its website. Most courses are offered online and can be completed in a few hours; some are also offered in person at libraries, community colleges, and training centers throughout the state.

The course covers New Hampshire notary laws, your duties and responsibilities, how to identify signers, what documents you can and cannot notarize, and how to handle common situations like refusing to notarize a document. You will receive a certificate of completion when you finish, which you will need to submit with your process.

Step 2: Pass the Notary Exam

After completing your course, you must pass the New Hampshire notary exam. The exam is administered by the course provider or a testing center and typically consists of 30 to 50 multiple-choice questions covering the material from your education course. You usually have one or two hours to complete it.

Most providers allow you to take the exam when ready after finishing the course, either on the same day or within a few days. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam — the number of retakes allowed and any fees for retakes vary by provider, so ask about this when you register for your course.

Step 3: Gather Your process Documents

Before you submit your process to the Secretary of State, collect the following documents: your notary education course certificate, your exam results, a completed notary process form (available on the Secretary of State's website), and a government-issued photo ID. You will also need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth.

Some applicants are required to submit a criminal background check or fingerprints — this applies if you have been convicted of certain crimes or if you have lived in New Hampshire for fewer than five years. The Secretary of State's office will tell you whether this applies to you when you submit your process.

Step 4: Submit Your process and Pay the Fee

Mail your completed process, course certificate, exam results, and the process fee to the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office. The current process fee is $25, though you should confirm the current amount on the Secretary of State's website before you submit. Include a copy of your photo ID with your process.

The Secretary of State's office typically processes applications within two to four weeks. You will receive your notary commission certificate by mail once your process is approved. Keep this certificate in a safe place — you will need it to perform notary duties and to renew your commission later.

Understanding Your Duties as a New Hampshire Notary

As a notary public, your job is to verify the identity of people who sign documents and to witness their signatures. You do not interpret documents, give legal information, or decide whether a document is valid — you only confirm that the person signing is who they say they are and that they are signing of their own free will.

You must keep a notary journal (a record book of every notarization you perform) and maintain it for at least five years. Your journal should include the date, the type of document, the signer's name and address, the type of ID you checked, and your fee. New Hampshire law allows you to charge up to $5 per notarization, though you can charge less or nothing if you choose.

Renewing Your Notary Commission

Your notary commission expires five years from the date it is issued. To renew, submit a renewal process and the renewal fee (currently $25) to the Secretary of State's office before your commission expires. You do not need to retake the exam or complete another education course to renew — you only need to submit the renewal form and fee.

If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notary duties until you have renewed it. The Secretary of State's office will send you a reminder before your commission expires, though it is your responsibility to renew on time. If you miss the important date, you may have to reapply as a new notary rather than straightforward renewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a New Hampshire resident to become a notary?

Yes, you must be a resident of New Hampshire. The Secretary of State's office will verify your residency when you submit your process. If you move out of state, your commission becomes invalid and you cannot perform notary duties.

Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the crime. New Hampshire law disqualifies you from becoming a notary if you have been convicted of certain felonies or crimes involving dishonesty. The Secretary of State's office will review your background during the process process and let you know if you are disqualified.

How much can I charge for a notarization?

New Hampshire law allows you to charge up to $5 per notarization. You can charge less or nothing if you choose. Some notaries charge a flat fee per document, while others charge per signature if a document has multiple pages that need to be notarized.

What if I lose my notary commission certificate?

Contact the Secretary of State's office and request a replacement. You will need to pay a replacement fee (typically a few dollars) and provide proof of your identity. The office can usually issue a replacement within one to two weeks.

Can I notarize documents for family members or people I know?

Yes, you can notarize for anyone as long as you follow the law. You must verify their identity using a government-issued photo ID, witness their signature, and record the notarization in your journal. However, many notaries avoid notarizing for close family members to prevent conflicts of interest, even though it is legally allowed.