Notary Public

New Hampshire

Notary Public Commission Requirements

VerifiedLast verified: February 2026

Governing Authority

New Hampshire Secretary of State

Official website →

5 years

Commission Term

before renewal

No

Education Required

no course needed

No

Exam Required

no exam needed

No

Bond Required

no bond needed

Application Process

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1

Obtain endorsements from two current New Hampshire notaries and one New Hampshire registered voter

2

Complete the Notary Public Application form with all signatures and affidavits

3

Sign a written statement under oath regarding criminal history

4

Submit original application with $75 fee (check or money order payable to 'State of New Hampshire') by mail to Secretary of State's Office, Notary Public Section, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

5

If approved, the Governor and Executive Council will confirm the appointment

6

Upon receiving your commission, take your oath of office in the presence of one notary public and one justice of the peace

7

Obtain your notary seal/stamp from a private vendor

8

Begin performing notarial acts

Basic Requirements

Minimum Age

18 years old

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Residency

Must be a resident of New Hampshire OR a resident of an abutting state (Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont) who is a notary in that state and carries on a trade, business, or practice in New Hampshire

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Citizenship

U.S. citizenship not required

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Background Check

Not required

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Education & Exam Requirements

Education

Not Required

No training or education is required to apply for a New Hampshire notary commission, though training courses are recommended.

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Exam

Not Required

No exam is required to become a New Hampshire notary public.

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Bond, Insurance & Seal

Surety Bond

Not Required

New Hampshire notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond.

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Errors & Omissions Insurance

Not Required

E&O insurance is not required by law but is recommended. Notaries are personally liable for damages resulting from negligence, errors, official malfeasance, or omissions.

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Seal / Stamp

Required

Inked rubber stamp seal or embosser. Must contain: notary's name, 'Notary Public', 'State of New Hampshire', and commission expiration date.

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Fee Breakdown

FeeAmount

Application Fee

$75

Bond Premium

No bond required

N/A

Stamp / Seal

Purchased from private vendors; price varies by type (rubber stamp vs embosser)

$20-$50

Total Estimated Cost

Application fee ($75) plus seal/stamp ($20-$50). No bond or education costs.

$95-$125

Commission Term & Renewal

Commission Term

5 years

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Renewal Process

A renewal application is mailed approximately 12 weeks before current commission expires. Submit renewal application with $75 fee to the Secretary of State's office.

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Renewal Fee

$75

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Remote Online Notarization (RON)

RON Allowed

New Hampshire permits remote online notarization. Notaries may register to perform RON after notifying the Secretary of State and providing the name of their RON technology provider.

Additional Requirements

Must notify Secretary of State and provide RON provider name

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Important Notes

What Makes New Hampshire Unique

New Hampshire is one of the few states where the Governor and Executive Council must approve each notary appointment. Applicants must also obtain endorsements from two existing notaries and a registered voter, and the oath of office requires both a notary public and a justice of the peace to be present.

  • Applicants must obtain endorsements from two notaries and one registered voter of New Hampshire

  • The Governor and Executive Council must confirm the appointment

  • Must be capable of reading and writing English

  • Oath of office must be taken in the presence of one notary public AND one justice of the peace

  • Abutting state residents (ME, MA, VT) who are notaries in their home state and work in NH may qualify

⚠ Data Conflicts Found

The following fields have conflicting information across sources.

bond

One general surety bond search result mentioned a $25,000 bond for NH notaries, but the official NNA page and NH Secretary of State page both confirm no bond is required. The $25,000 figure may be outdated or confused with another bond type.

Sources

Nearby States

Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Requirements may change. Always verify with your state's licensing authority before beginning the application process. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice.