Notary Public

A Notary Public is a public official appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council (RSA 455-A). A Notary Public has the power to:

• Acknowledge legal documents
• Administer oaths and affirmations;
• Take verifications upon oath or affirmation;
• Take depositions;
• Copy certifications;
• Notarize a signature;
• Note a protest of a negotiable legal document.

To find out more about the powers and responsibilities of a Notary Public, read the Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual and the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts - RSA 456-B. You can also call the Secretary of State’s Office at (603) 271-3242 to request a paper copy of the manual.

Requirements: To become a Notary Public in New Hampshire, you must be:

• At least 18 years of age;
• A New Hampshire resident.

Application process: To apply, print off and complete both sides of the Notary Public Application. Alternatively, you can also request an application form from the Secretary of State’s Office by phone (603-271-3242) or email (administration@sos.nh.gov).

The back of the application includes an Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check which must be completed. Two notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter must endorse your application.

Please mail the ORIGINAL completed application along with the $75 fee (check made payable to “State of New Hampshire” or cash) to the Secretary of State’s Office, Room 204, 107 North main Street, Concord, NH 03301.  

Effective August 4, 2019, a resident of an abutting state may apply to be commissioned as a Notary Public in New Hampshire.

Requirements: To become commissioned as a Notary Public in New Hampshire, you must be:

• A resident of Maine, Massachusetts or Vermont;
• Regularly employed or carry on a trade, business, or practice in New Hampshire at the time of applying;
• A registered Notary Public in your home state.

Application process: To apply, print off and complete both sides of the Notary Public Application (for Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont resident) and the Affidavit of Employment. Alternatively, you can also request an application form from the Secretary of State’s Office by phone (603-271-3242) or email (administration@sos.nh.gov).

The back of the application includes an Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check which must be completed. Two notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter must endorse your application.

Please mail the ORIGINAL completed application along with the $75 fee (check made payable to “State of New Hampshire” or cash) to the Secretary of State’s Office, Room 204, 107 North main Street, Concord, NH 03301.  

Once the Secretary of State receives your application, it will take 8-10 weeks to be processed. The process is as follows:

1. 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.
2. Your application will be submitted to the Governor and Executive Council for nomination.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

7. 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. 
8. Keep the commission for your records. 

All acknowledgements made by you as a notary public shall be either under an official seal or an official rubber stamp. The Secretary of State’s Office does not provide stamps or seals. You are responsible for ordering one.

The official seal shall have the following information printed on it: 

• Name of the Notary
• The words “Notary Public”
• The words “New Hampshire”
• A separate rubber stamp should carry the expiration date of the notary public’s commission.

The official rubber stamp shall have the following information printed on it:

• Name of the Notary
• The words “Notary Public”
• The words “New Hampshire”
• The expiration date of the notary public’s commission.

As a Notary Public, you cannot charge more than $10.00 for each oath, witness, service, or certification.

Exception: For depositions, you can charge a fee of $5.00 but no more than $50.00. You are also entitled to $0.20/mile when traveling to swear in witnesses.

You cannot charge a fee to administer oaths of office for town officers.

Any time you endorse a document or sign an acknowledgement as a Notary Public, you must type, print, or stamp your name and state the expiration of your commission on the document.

Although not required, we recommend that when performing an act as a Notary Public, you do so under your official seal. You are responsible for ordering your own seal.

Although New Hampshire law does not require notaries to keep a journal of their notarial acts, the National Notary Association recommends that you do so.

To renew your Notary Public commission, you will follow the same process you completed to apply. The Secretary of State’s Office will mail you a renewal application approximately 12 weeks prior to the date your current commission is due to expire. Renewal applications are not available online.

If you move during the 5 years of your commission (or change your name), please notify the Secretary of State’s Office. Otherwise, your renewal form will not reach you.