Which statement is true about renewal requirements for the Notary Public commission in Hawaii?

• A. The renewal application must be submitted, the renewal fee paid, and the processing completed by the expiration date
• B. Only the renewal application must be submitted
• C. Renewal can be completed after expiration
• D. Renewal is optional for notaries

Answer: (A)

In Hawaii, a notary public’s authority ends on the expiration date of the commission, and to keep acting as a notary you must have a renewed commission before that date. The renewal process requires three things to be completed by the expiration: submit the renewal application, pay the renewal fee, and have the renewal processing finished. If any of these aren’t done by the expiration, the commission lapses and you cannot perform notarial acts until renewal is granted. Renewal after expiration isn’t considered sufficient to continue exercising duties, and waiting to renew would leave you inactive for a period. Renewal is not optional; keeping your commission active depends on meeting all three steps by the expiration date.