Quick Facts
Commission Term
5 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$75 (payable to 'State of New Hampshire')
Issuing Authority
Governor with advice and consent of Executive Council
Journal
Conditional
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes New Hampshire distinctive
- New Hampshire permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 47 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- New Hampshire's 5-year commission term is longer than the national median of 4 years, meaning fewer renewals over a notary's career.
- New Hampshire does not require a notary bond, unlike the 28 states that do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Authorized
New Hampshire authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
New Hampshire notaries serve a 5-year commission term under RSA 455, with no surety bond and no statutory cap on notarial fees — one of the few states that leaves pricing entirely to the notary's discretion. New Hampshire authorizes remote online notarization under RSA 137-C, and RON session recordings must be retained for at least ten years. The state does not mandate a notary journal for in-person acts, though RON sessions require a contemporaneous record. Consult the New Hampshire notary compliance dataset for the current RSA 455 framework, the fee posture, and the RON recording retention rules.
Key Considerations
- RULONA state - Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RSA 456-B)
- 5-year commission term (longer than many states' 4-year terms)
- No bond required (unique - E&O insurance optional)
- No exam or educational requirements (uncommon)
- Appointed by Governor with Executive Council advice/consent
Regulatory Authority
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
RSA 456-B:2
Primary Notary Statute
Statutory authority for acknowledgment, affidavit, copy certification, electronic copy certification, jurat, oath/affirmation, protest, and witnessing in New Hampshire.
RSA 456-B:3
Electronic Notarization Provisions
Statutory authority for acknowledgment, electronic notarization (IPEN), and jurat in New Hampshire.
RSA 456-B Electronic/Remote Notarization
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Statutory authority for electronic notarization (IPEN), and remote online notarization in New Hampshire.
RSA 456-B:6-a
Remote Online Notarization (RON) Provisions
Statutory authority for electronic copy certification, and remote online notarization in New Hampshire.
RSA 455:11
Deposition Court Rules
Statutory authority for deposition in New Hampshire.
RSA 455:4
Notice of Protest
Statutory authority for protest in New Hampshire.
RSA 457:31
Marriage Solemnization
Statutory authority for marriage solemnization in New Hampshire.
RSA 457:35
Marriage Solemnization
Statutory authority for marriage solemnization in New Hampshire.
RSA 517:19
Deposition Court Rules
Statutory authority for deposition in New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in New Hampshire?
A New Hampshire notary public commission is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire charges $75 (payable to 'State of New Hampshire') as the application fee to the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does New Hampshire require a notary bond?
No. New Hampshire does not require a surety bond as part of the notary commission. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and may still be advisable for protection against personal liability.
Is a notary journal required in New Hampshire?
Journal requirements in New Hampshire are: Conditional. Consult the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division for the current authoritative rule.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Can New Hampshire notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. New Hampshire authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can New Hampshire notaries use?
New Hampshire notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does New Hampshire cap notary fees?
Yes. New Hampshire sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Contact state authority for fee information.
Who regulates notaries in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire notaries are commissioned and regulated by the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does New Hampshire authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. New Hampshire authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can New Hampshire notaries perform?
New Hampshire notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in New Hampshire?
Start your application through the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Division.
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