How to Become a Notary in New Hampshire

Quick Facts

Minimum Age

Residency Required

Yes

Education Required

No

Exam Required

No

Yes

Background Check Required

Bond Requirement

No

Commission Term

4 years

Journal Required

No

Stamp Requirement

Yes

Last updated

August , 2025

Steps to Become a Notary in New Hampshire

Education:

Once the Secretary of State receives your application, it will take 8-10 weeks to be processed. The process is as follows: The Secretary of State will use the Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check to check the N.H. State Police database to see if you have a record of criminal convictions. Your application will be submitted to the Governor and Executive Council for nomination. After you are nominated, your application will be submitted to the Governor and Executive Council for appointment. This will occur at a different meeting than the one at which you were nominated. If your application is approved (you are appointed), your commission as a Notary Public will be valid for 5 years from the date the Governor and Executive Council confirm your appointment. The date of your appointment will be indicated on your commission. Within a week of your appointment, you will receive your commission, oath, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual, and other information from the Secretary of State’s Office. As soon as you receive your oath, sign and take your oath of office in the presence of: Two justices of the peace; OR Two notaries public; OR One notary public and one justice of the peace. You must take the oath to have the authority to act as a Notary Public (RSA 92:2). Those who sign your oath should also sign your commission. Return the oath to the Secretary of State’s Office as soon as possible. Unless we have your oath on file, we cannot certify that you are qualified as a Notary Public. Keep the commission for your records.

Exam Final:

No exam is required.

Background Check Final:

Yes, must complete an authorized backround check

Bond:

New Hampshire does not require a notary bond to become a notary public or to renew your notary public commission.

Bond Final:

No bond is required

Applictation Final:

Yes, application and a fee required

Order Supplies Final:

Stamp Required

Take the Notary Fundamentals Course Today

Coming Soon

Get the clarity and tools you need to decide if notary work is right for you. This practical course explains what a notary does, the skills required, costs, and potential income — and guides you in building a personalized action plan to get commissioned and start finding work.

New Hampshire Secretary of State

Notary Public Section

The governor appoints New Hampshire notaries public with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, and the Secretary of State’s Office processes all notary applications for appointment and reappointment, maintains all the records on notaries and authenticates their acts.

Always Verify the Information with your State’s Official Notary Licensing Agency.