New Hampshire Notary cheat sheet

Applicant must be at least 18 years old and a resident of New Hampshire or have a principal place of business in the state.

Application requires submission of a completed form, fee, and criminal record check to the Secretary of State.

Non-residents must submit a consent to service of process and designate the Secretary of State as agent.

Applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving dishonesty unless pardoned or rights restored.

Application fee is $50, payable to the Secretary of State, non-refundable.

A surety bond of $5,000 is required for non-residents; residents are not required to post bond.

Application must be signed under penalty of unsworn falsification.

Processing time is typically 10-15 business days after receipt of complete application and background check.

Criminal record check must be obtained from the NH Department of Safety, Division of State Police, and submitted with application.

Record check must be dated within 60 days of application submission.

Out-of-state applicants must also submit a criminal record check from their state of residence.

Endorsement as a notary in another state does not automatically qualify an applicant for a NH commission.

Secretary of State may deny application if criminal record reveals disqualifying offense.

Applicant may appeal denial within 30 days by requesting a hearing.

Upon approval, commission is issued and mailed to applicant; notary must take oath within 60 days.

Application processing includes verification of residency, background check, and fee payment.

Notary must take and subscribe the oath of office before a person authorized to administer oaths.

Oath must be filed with the Secretary of State within 60 days of commission issuance.

Commission term is 5 years, expiring on the date specified on the commission certificate.

Failure to file oath within 60 days renders commission void.

Oath form is provided with the commission; must be signed and notarized.

Notary may perform duties only after oath is filed and commission is in effect.

Commission certificate must be kept and displayed upon request.

Notary must notify Secretary of State of any change of name or address within 30 days.

Notary may administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, witness signatures, and certify copies.

Notary may perform notarial acts within New Hampshire only; no authority outside state unless permitted by other jurisdiction.

Notary must require personal appearance of signer or use of approved remote technology for online notarization.

Notary must verify identity through satisfactory evidence: personal knowledge or government-issued ID.

Notary must complete a journal entry for each notarial act, including date, type, signer name, and ID details.

Notary must not notarize own signature or document in which notary has a beneficial interest.

Notary must not perform notarial act if signer appears incompetent or under duress.

Notary must administer oath or affirmation when required by document.

Notary may certify copies of original documents only if not a public record and not prohibited by law.

Notary must obtain an official seal or stamp that includes name as commissioned, 'Notary Public', 'State of New Hampshire', and commission expiration date.

Seal may be a rubber stamp or embosser; must be capable of producing a legible impression.

Seal must be kept secure and used only for official notarial acts.

Notary must not use seal after commission expires or is revoked.

Notary must notify Secretary of State if seal is lost or stolen within 10 days.

Notary must destroy seal upon resignation or revocation.

Electronic notarization requires an electronic seal with same information.

Seal impression must be clear and photographically reproducible.

Maximum fee for notarial act is $10 per act, as set by statute.

Notary may charge for travel expenses but must disclose in advance.

Notary must not charge fees for notarizing election-related documents or absentee ballots.

Notary must not charge more than $10 for administering an oath or affirmation.

Notary must provide receipt upon request.

Notary may not charge for notarizing own documents or for public officials acting in official capacity.

Fee for certified copy is $10.

Notary must not charge for notarizing documents related to public assistance or veterans' benefits.

Renewal application must be submitted before expiration to avoid lapsed commission; late renewal may require new application.

Renewal fee is $50 and requires updated criminal record check if not submitted within prior 5 years.

Notary must report change of name or address to Secretary of State within 30 days.

Notary must report change of name by submitting new application with legal proof of name change.

Notary must maintain journal for 5 years after last notarial act.

Notary must surrender commission certificate and seal upon resignation or revocation.

Notary must respond to requests for information from Secretary of State within 30 days.

Failure to comply with renewal or reporting requirements may result in administrative penalty or revocation.