NH Notary NH Notary Commission Application and Renewal 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who appoints New Hampshire notaries public?
- The Governor alone
- The Governor and Council jointly (Correct answer)
- The Secretary of State
- The State Legislature
Correct answer: The Governor and Council jointly
Under NH RSA 455:1, notaries public are appointed by the Governor and Executive Council.
Question 2: How long is the term of a New Hampshire notary public commission?
- 2 years
- 4 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- Lifetime appointment
Correct answer: 5 years
A New Hampshire notary commission is valid for a term of 5 years from the date of appointment.
Question 3: Who must a NH notary applicant be in terms of residency?
- Must be a US citizen only
- Must be a NH resident or have a principal place of business or employment in NH (Correct answer)
- Must be a NH resident for at least 5 years
- No residency requirement exists
Correct answer: Must be a NH resident or have a principal place of business or employment in NH
NH law requires applicants to be residents of New Hampshire or to have their principal place of business or employment in the state.
Question 4: What is the minimum age to apply for a New Hampshire notary commission?
- 16 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- There is no minimum age
Correct answer: 18 years old
Applicants for a NH notary commission must be at least 18 years of age.
Question 5: After a NH notary is appointed, what must they do before performing any notarial acts?
- Purchase a stamp
- Take and file their oath of office with the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- Attend a training course
- Open a dedicated bank account for fees
Correct answer: Take and file their oath of office with the Secretary of State
A newly appointed NH notary must take and file their oath of office before they are authorized to perform notarial acts.
Question 6: Where is the NH notary's oath of office filed?
- With the County Clerk
- With the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- With the Governor's office
- With the State Supreme Court
Correct answer: With the Secretary of State
The notary's oath of office must be filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office.
NH Notary NH Notary Commission Application and Renewal 1
Who appoints New Hampshire notaries public?