New Hampshire Notary Requirements and E&O Insurance

Is a notary bond required in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire does not require a surety bond as a condition of becoming a notary public. Instead of a bond-and-file model, a New Hampshire notary is a public official appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, under RSA Chapter 455. The Secretary of State administers the application process.

Because there is no bond, there is no penal sum on file to reimburse the public. That places more emphasis on careful, lawful practice and — for many notaries — on voluntary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance to protect against the cost of a mistake. New Hampshire also commissions Justices of the Peace, a separate office with overlapping notarial-type powers.

How to become a notary in New Hampshire

1. Meet the qualifications: be at least 18 years old and a New Hampshire resident (or qualify under the abutting-state option below).
2. Complete both sides of the Notary Public Application, including the Acknowledgement of Criminal Record Check.
3. Obtain endorsements from two notaries public and one registered New Hampshire voter.
4. Mail the original application with the $75 fee to the Secretary of State’s Office in Concord.
5. The Secretary of State checks the criminal record, then forwards your application to the Governor and Executive Council for nomination and, at a later meeting, appointment. Processing takes roughly 8–10 weeks.
6. If appointed, your commission is valid for five years from the date the Governor and Executive Council confirm your appointment.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in New Hampshire

New Hampshire requires neither a bond nor E&O insurance. The two are different: a bond protects the public, while E&O insurance protects the notary. Since the state imposes no bond, a notary who wants financial protection against claims of an inadvertent error typically buys optional E&O coverage. This is a personal choice, not a state requirement.

Renewing your New Hampshire commission

A New Hampshire commission runs five years. To continue serving, submit a new application to the Secretary of State — including the fee, endorsements, and criminal record acknowledgement — before your current commission expires, since reappointment again requires action by the Governor and Executive Council. Allow time for the multi-step nomination and appointment process.

Remote online notarization in New Hampshire

New Hampshire notaries may perform notarizations using communication technology under state law; the Secretary of State’s Notary Public and Justice of the Peace Manual and the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RSA 456-B) describe the standards. Notaries planning to notarize remotely should follow the current requirements published by the Secretary of State before doing so.

Non-resident notaries in New Hampshire

Since August 4, 2019, a resident of an abutting state — Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont — may apply to be commissioned in New Hampshire if the person is regularly employed or carries on a trade, business, or practice in New Hampshire and is a registered notary public in their home state. These applicants use a dedicated out-of-state application and submit an Affidavit of Employment with the same $75 fee and endorsements.