New Hampshire does not require a journal for traditional acts — but mandates one for all RON acts (RSA 456-B:8-c). RON authorized since February 6, 2022. A/V recording required. No state-approved platform list — you choose a compliant technology. Notaries are appointed by the Governor with Executive Council consent. 5-year commission. 3 endorsements required. NotaryAct is configured for New Hampshire.
| ⚖️ New Hampshire Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | RSA Chapter 455 (Notaries Public) · RSA Chapter 456-B (Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, eff. Feb. 6, 2022) |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · SOS Notary Manual strongly recommends as best practice |
| RON Journal | Mandatory for all notarial acts for remotely located individuals (RSA 456-B:8-c.I) ✓ |
| RON A/V Recording | Mandatory for RON sessions ✓ |
| RON Platform List | No state-approved list — notary is responsible for verifying platform meets RSA 456-B requirements |
| RON Notification | Must notify SOS before first RON — submit E-Notarization form with platform details ✓ |
| RON Authorized Since | February 6, 2022 (RSA 456-B) |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct NH configuration |
| Commissioning Authority | Governor with advice and consent of the Executive Council (5-member elected body) ✓ |
| Endorsements Required | 3 endorsements — 2 current NH Notaries Public + 1 NH registered voter ✓ |
| Non-Resident Eligibility | Abutting-state residents (ME, MA, VT) who are commissioned in their home state and regularly employed in NH may apply |
| Background Check | Criminal record check required — NH State Police database via Executive Council process |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Max Fee | $10 per standard notarial act · $25 for RON acts |
| Commission Term | 5 years · $75 application fee |
New Hampshire is one of the few states where notaries are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council — a 5-member elected body that reviews gubernatorial appointments. Applications go to the SOS, which processes them and advances nominations to the Governor and Executive Council for vote at their next meeting. This formal appointment process, combined with the 3-endorsement requirement and mandatory criminal background check, makes New Hampshire’s notary application one of the more involved in New England.
Non-residents can qualify if they live in a bordering state (Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont), already hold a notary commission in their home state, and are regularly employed or conduct business in New Hampshire. Non-resident applicants must also provide a criminal record check from their home state.
New Hampshire authorized electronic and remote notarization under RSA 456-B effective February 6, 2022. The law requires notaries to notify the SOS before their first RON and identify the technology platform they intend to use, by submitting the RSA 456-B Electronic/Remote Notarization Users Form. Unlike many states, New Hampshire does not maintain an approved-platform list — notaries are individually responsible for verifying that their chosen platform meets all statutory technical requirements.
These fields are recommended for all notarizations and required for RON. NotaryAct’s New Hampshire configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, oath, signature witnessing, copy certification, protest. NotaryAct dropdown for all NH-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Document description — NotaryAct dedicated field. |
| 4 | Full name, signature, and address of each signer — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any New Hampshire driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — description of ID, serial/ID number, issuance and expiration dates — NotaryAct captures ID type and credential details. |
| + | Fee charged (max $10 traditional / $25 RON) — Fee field in every NotaryAct entry. |
✔ NotaryAct is configured for New Hampshire: Complete best-practice journal for all traditional and RON notarizations. Mandatory RON journal fields enabled. A/V session documentation support. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature. Fee fields correctly set for NH’s $10/$25 fee structure.
Other state guides: Vermont · Maine · Massachusetts · Rhode Island · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s New Hampshire configuration gives you mandatory RON journal compliance and a comprehensive best-practice journal for traditional acts — all in one place for your 5-year commission.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects New Hampshire RSA Chapters 455 and 456-B (effective February 6, 2022) as in effect June 2026. Consult the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office at sos.nh.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
