NOTARY ACADEMY
New Hampshire Notary Education & Professional Development
New Hampshire appoints notaries through its Governor and Executive Council, with specific application endorsements and oath requirements. But receiving your commission is only the beginning of developing the knowledge and judgment needed to perform notarial acts responsibly.
Whether you're preparing for your first commission, seeking reappointment, or building a notary business, Notary Academy provides education and ongoing professional development to support your next step.
Notary Academy provides a structured path for continued learning and professional growth. The education, resources, and guidance are here to support you.
Your progress comes from how you choose to use them.
Where Are You in YourĀ New Hampshire Notary Career?
Preparing to Become a Notary
You're learning New Hampshire's eligibility requirements, gathering your application endorsements, completing the required paperwork, and preparing for your oath of office.
Commissioned, But Still Finding Your Footing
You're navigating unfamiliar documents, signer identification, notarial certificates, client questions, and situations requiring professional judgment.
Ready to Build a Stronger Business
You want to become more visible in your community, develop professional relationships, establish reliable procedures, and understand the requirements for additional authorized services.
Wherever you are today, your next step should support what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Understanding New Hampshire Notary Requirements
New Hampshire notaries public are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council.
RSA Chapter 455 governs commissioning, and RSA Chapter 456-B establishes requirements for traditional, electronic, and remote notarial acts.
Becoming a New Hampshire Notary Public
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet New Hampshire's statutory residency and application requirements.
Residents of Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont may also qualify if they are commissioned notaries in their home states and regularly work or maintain a qualifying business or professional practice in New Hampshire.
Applicants must obtain endorsements from two New Hampshire notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter.
The application includes a criminal-record-check authorization and must be submitted as an original paper application with the current $75 fee.
Qualifying nonresidents must provide additional documentation, including an affidavit concerning their residence and New Hampshire employment or practice, and the required home-state criminal history information.
The Secretary of State reviews applications and submits qualified candidates through the Governor and Executive Council appointment process.
After appointment, the applicant must take the oath of office before two notaries, two justices of the peace, or one of each, and return the completed oath to the Secretary of State.
New Hampshire commissions last five years. A notary must complete the required oath before exercising notarial authority.
New Hampshire Education and Reappointment
New Hampshire does not require a mandatory traditional notary commissioning course or state examination.
However, notaries are responsible for understanding identification, personal appearance, certificates, impartiality, and other legal duties.
The Secretary of State publishes a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual.
Reappointment follows the same general application and approval process as an initial commission.
The Secretary of State ordinarily mails reappointment materials approximately 12 weeks before expiration. Renewal applications are not available online.
Notaries should keep their addresses current and complete reappointment before their commissions expire.
New Hampshire Seal and Journal Requirements
New Hampshire does not require a traditional notary surety bond.
For notarial acts involving records, RSA 455:3 requires an official embossed seal or legible electronic or rubber official stamp containing the prescribed information, including the notary's name, office, state, and commission expiration.
New Hampshire does not issue commission numbers.
A journal is not generally mandatory for ordinary traditional notarizations, although maintaining one is a recommended professional safeguard.
Remote notarization has different rules.
Under RSA 456-B:8-c, notaries must maintain journals for notarial acts involving remotely located individuals and retain those journals for ten years after the last recorded act.
Remote notarial acts also require audiovisual recordings, generally retained for at least ten years.
Electronic and Remote Notarization in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has authorized electronic and remote notarization since February 6, 2022.
In-person electronic notarization (IPEN) involves an electronic document while the signer and notary are physically together.
Remote online notarization (RON) involves a remotely located individual appearing through compliant real-time audiovisual communication technology.
Before performing electronic or remote notarial acts, a commissioned notary must notify the Secretary of State and identify the technology to be used.
The notary must be physically located in New Hampshire during a remote notarial act.
Remote notarization requires legally acceptable identity verification, compliant electronic signatures and certificates, a journal, audiovisual recording, and required record retention.
New Hampshire allows qualifying identity verification through personal knowledge, an authorized credible witness, or at least two different types of identity proofing.
Technology providers may self-certify compliance, but the Secretary of State does not endorse a particular provider. The notary remains responsible for using compliant technology.
New Hampshire Fees and Professional Responsibilities
Under RSA 455:11, New Hampshire notaries may charge up to $10 for common notarial services, including oaths, witnessing, and certifications.
The maximum fee for a qualifying remote notarial act is $25.
Special fee provisions apply to depositions. Notaries may not charge for administering and certifying oaths of office for town officers.
New Hampshire identification requirements generally call for current, unexpired qualifying government identification when documentary identification is used.
Notaries must correctly identify individuals, require lawful personal appearance, complete appropriate certificates, remain impartial, and avoid unauthorized legal services.
A notary must not notarize the notary's own signature.
Official New Hampshire Notary Resources
The New Hampshire Secretary of State administers notary applications, oath records, reappointments, and electronic-notary notifications.
Applicants and commissioned notaries should consult current official guidance, the Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual, RSA Chapter 455, and RSA Chapter 456-B before performing unfamiliar or specialized acts.
(Click the links below)Ā
New Hampshire Secretary of State: Notary Public
Commissioning and reappointmentĀ
New Hampshire Notary Application
Official resident applicationĀ
New Hampshire Nonresident Notary Application
New Hampshire Electronic and Remote Notarization
Technology notification and RONĀ
New Hampshire Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual
RSA Chapter 455
RSA Chapter 456-B
Your Commission Is Only the Beginning
New Hampshire does not require a traditional commissioning course or examination. But receiving your commission doesn't prepare you for every decision you'll encounter while serving the public.
What happens when a signer presents unfamiliar identification? When you're uncertain how to complete a notarial certificate? Or when a client asks for remote notarization and you're unsure whether the technology and procedures satisfy state law?
These situations require current knowledge, practical experience, sound judgment, and reliable procedures.
Continued professional development helps strengthen those skills and recognize the boundaries of your authority.
That's why Notary Academy has built more than a collection of educational materials. We've created a connected system of learning, practice, professional guidance, and implementation resources to help you continue developing beyond your commission.
But having a path forward and actually moving forward are two different things.
Your responsibility is to participate, apply what you're learning, and take the next step.
Your commission authorizes the work. What you learn and implement afterward shapes how you perform it.
Professional Development That Continues Beyond the Classroom
Notary Academy is a national notary education and professional development institution founded by Kimberly Sennett in 2020.
Our educational approach connects notarial knowledge, professional judgment, practical application, and business development.
Education Grounded in the Profession
Learn from experienced notary professionals who understand the responsibilities of the commission and the realities of serving clients.
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Learning That Connects to Practice
Develop your understanding through education, real-world examples, practical resources, and opportunities to apply what you've learned.
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A Path for Continued Business Growth
Whether you're strengthening foundations, establishing business, becoming visible, or refining skills, there is a structured pathway to help identify what deserves your attention next.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
What Happens After You Learn the Information?Ā
Knowing the rules is one part of professional development. Learning how to apply them, practice unfamiliar situations, communicate with clients, and operate your business takes continued effort.
The Notary Academy Inner Circle brings education, practical resources, live learning, advisor guidance, and opportunities for implementation together in one ongoing membership.
Through The Implementation Pathā„¢, members can identify their current stage, find relevant learning and resources, and focus on meaningful next steps.
You don't have to figure out every next step on your own. But you do have to take those steps.
The Learning Circle, practice opportunities, and resource library are there to support your development. Their value comes from engaging with the education and putting what you learn into practice.
We've built the path forward...
Your participation is what puts it to work.
Build the Skills and Business That Fit Your Goals
New Hampshire notaries serve in different professional settings. Some perform notarial acts as part of their employment, while others want to build independent businesses, strengthen community relationships, or explore additional authorized services.
Whatever your goals, continued development involves reliable communication, organized procedures, professional relationships, and consistent visibility within your community.
Inside the Inner Circle, The Implementation Path helps members identify their current stage and focus on the work that matters most.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Develop your understanding of notarial responsibilities, procedures, compliance, and professional judgment.
Become Known in Your Community
Learn how to develop your professional presence, build local relationships, communicate your value, and become easier to find & hire.
Build With IntentionĀ
Develop business systems, evaluate your progress, practice unfamiliar situations, and make informed decisions about the future.Ā
How do I become a Notary Public in New Hampshire?
Can residents of neighboring states become New Hampshire notaries?
Does New Hampshire require a notary course, examination, or surety bond?
Does New Hampshire require a notary journal?
Can New Hampshire notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Does Inner Circle membership replace New Hampshire's commissioning requirements?
Ready to Continue Building Beyond Your New Hampshire Notary Commission?
New Hampshire does not require mandatory traditional commissioning education or a state examination. Developing the knowledge, professional judgment, relationships, and business practices that support your goals takes continued learning and intentional action.
Whether you're strengthening your notarial skills, becoming more visible in your community, or building a business that fits your goals, Notary Academy provides ongoing professional development to support your next step.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
Notary Academy provides the pathway, education, resources, and opportunities to strengthen your professional practice. You bring the commitment to learn, participate, and put that guidance into action.
The next step is yours to take.
