For Notaries · New Hampshire
How to Become a Notary Public in New Hampshire
To become a notary in New Hampshire, you must be at least 18 and a New Hampshire resident, get endorsed by two notaries and a registered voter, pass a criminal record check, and file your application with the $75 state fee. No bond, exam, or training is required, and the commission runs a 5-year term.
Last updated: July 16, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
New Hampshire notaries are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, while the Secretary of State's office administers the program and keeps the records. To apply you complete a two-sided application (including an Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check), collect endorsements from two New Hampshire notaries and one registered voter, and mail it with a $75 fee to Concord. New Hampshire is refreshingly simple: no surety bond, no exam, and no mandatory training, though the Governor may disqualify applicants with criminal convictions. Processing takes roughly 8-10 weeks, after which you take an oath of office. Once commissioned, you can also register with the Secretary of State to perform remote online notarization.
New Hampshire Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | Must be at least 18 years of age and a New Hampshire resident (residents of Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont who are notaries in their home state and work in New Hampshire may also apply). The application must be endorsed by two New Hampshire notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter, and includes an Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check; the Governor may disqualify applicants based on prior criminal convictions. U.S. citizenship is not required. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | No surety bond required. New Hampshire does not require notaries to post a bond; errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional. |
| State filing fee | $75 application fee (check payable to "State of New Hampshire" or cash). A replacement/name-change commission certificate costs $5. |
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Notary education | Not required. New Hampshire does not mandate any training course to become a notary. |
| Exam | Not required. New Hampshire does not require a proctored exam. |
New Hampshire requires no surety bond, charges a $75 application fee, and issues a 5-year notary commission. — New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Public
How to Become a Notary in New Hampshire: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Be at least 18 and a New Hampshire resident (or a qualifying Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont notary who works in New Hampshire). Be ready to complete the Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check.
- 2
Complete the application and get endorsements
Fill out both sides of the Notary Public Application, then have two New Hampshire notaries and one registered New Hampshire voter endorse it. No exam or training is required.
- 3
File your application with the $75 state fee
Mail the original application with a $75 check payable to 'State of New Hampshire' (or cash) to the Secretary of State's Office in Concord.
- 4
Wait for appointment
Processing takes about 8-10 weeks. The Governor and Executive Council nominate and then appoint you; your 5-year commission runs from the appointment date.
- 5
Take your oath of office
Sign and take your oath before two notaries, two justices of the peace, or one of each, then return the oath to the Secretary of State's office.
- 6
Get your seal and start notarizing
Order an official seal or rubber stamp showing your name, 'Notary Public,' 'New Hampshire,' and your expiration date. To notarize online, notify the Secretary of State and name your RON provider.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in New Hampshire
New Hampshire notaries may perform remote online notarization. First hold an active New Hampshire notary commission, then notify the Secretary of State of your intent and provide the name of your chosen RON technology provider before performing your first remote notarial act. Notaries performing RON must keep a journal. No separate state RON fee or added bond is specified.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state RON registration fee specified
Authorized under the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RSA 456-B), which includes New Hampshire's remote notarization provisions.
See how RON is authorized in New Hampshire — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the New Hampshire remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in New Hampshire instead? Notarize online with a New Hampshire commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a New Hampshire commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in New Hampshire? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in New Hampshire?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $75 |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Education / exam | Not required |
| Official seal or rubber stamp | Varies by supplier (approx. $30) |
| RON provider registration | Varies by provider (no state fee) |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
What a New Hampshire Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. New Hampshire caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $10 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $25 |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how New Hampshire compares with every other state in the full 50-state breakdown of what a notary costs.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in New Hampshire
Commission term in New Hampshire
5 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your New Hampshire Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How New Hampshire notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a New Hampshire notary commission last?
A New Hampshire notary commission is valid for 5 years, running from the date the Governor and Executive Council confirm your appointment. The Secretary of State mails a renewal application roughly three months before it expires; renewals follow the same process as the original application.
How much does it cost to become a notary in New Hampshire?
The state application fee is $75. Add the cost of an official seal or rubber stamp (typically around $30), which puts the total at roughly $105-$125. There is no bond or training expense in New Hampshire.
Is a class or exam required to become a New Hampshire notary?
No. New Hampshire does not require any training course or exam to become a notary. You simply need to meet eligibility requirements, obtain endorsements, and pass a criminal record check.
Who appoints and regulates notaries in New Hampshire?
The Governor appoints notaries with the advice and consent of the Executive Council. The New Hampshire Secretary of State's office in Concord administers the program, processes applications, and maintains the records.
Is remote online notarization available in New Hampshire?
Yes. Commissioned New Hampshire notaries may perform remote online notarization. Before your first remote act, notify the Secretary of State and provide the name of your chosen RON technology provider. Notaries performing RON must keep a journal.
Do New Hampshire notaries need a surety bond?
No. New Hampshire does not require notaries to post a surety bond. Optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is available to cover legal costs but is not mandated by law.
How much can a notary charge in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $10, per act or signature.
How much can a New Hampshire notary charge for online notarization?
New Hampshire's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $25, against $10 in person.
When does a New Hampshire notary commission expire?
The New Hampshire commission term is: 5 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the New Hampshire cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- What a loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby New England guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- New Hampshire Secretary of State - Notary Public
- National Notary Association - How to Become a Notary in New Hampshire
This guide summarizes public requirements from New Hampshire's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.