What you need to do to become a North Carolina notary

To become a notary public in North Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and able to read and write English. You then take a written exam administered by the North Carolina Secretary of State, pay a fee, and submit an process with your exam results. The whole process typically takes four to six weeks from exam to commission.

North Carolina does not require you to take a pre-exam course, though many people do. You study from the official notary handbook (available free on the Secretary of State website), pass the exam on your own schedule at an approved testing center, and then mail or deliver your process materials to the Secretary of State's office in Raleigh.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18, a North Carolina resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
  • The exam covers North Carolina notary law and is offered at testing centers throughout the state; you do not need a course to take it.
  • Your commission lasts five years and costs $75 for the initial process, plus exam and testing center fees that vary by location.
  • After you receive your commission, you must obtain a notary seal and journal before you can perform notarial acts.
  • Renewal requires passing the exam again and paying another $75 process fee five years after your commission date.

Meet the basic requirements

North Carolina's requirements are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of North Carolina, and able to read and write English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or fraud. If you have questions about your criminal history, contact the Secretary of State's Notary Section before you explore.

Residency means you live in North Carolina and can show proof of it. A driver's license, utility bill, or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days will work. You do not need to own property or have lived in the state for any minimum length of time—you just need to be living there when you explore.

Study the notary handbook and take the exam

The North Carolina Secretary of State publishes a free Notary Public Handbook on its website. This handbook covers the duties of a notary, the types of notarial acts you can perform, how to handle documents, record-keeping requirements, and the laws that govern your work. You study this material on your own—there is no mandatory course, though some testing centers and community colleges offer optional prep classes.

When you are ready, you schedule an exam at an approved testing center. The Secretary of State maintains a list of testing centers on its website, organized by county. The exam is 30 questions, multiple choice, and covers the handbook material. You must score at least 70 percent to pass. Testing centers charge their own fees, which typically range from $10 to $25, though this varies by location.

You can take the exam as many times as you need to pass. There is no waiting period between attempts, so if you do not pass on your first try, you can schedule another test right away.

Submit your process to the Secretary of State

Once you pass the exam, you complete the process for Notary Public Commission, available on the Secretary of State website. You will need your exam score report, proof of residency, and a completed process form. Some applicants also include a copy of their driver's license for identification.

Mail or deliver your process packet to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Notary Section, in Raleigh. The address is on the process form. Include a check or money order for $75—this is the process fee and does not include the exam or testing center fees you already paid. Processing takes about two to four weeks. You will receive your commission certificate by mail.

Get your notary seal and journal

Your commission certificate authorizes you to work as a notary, but you cannot perform any notarial acts until you have a notary seal and a notary journal. These are not provided by the state—you purchase them yourself from an office supply company or online retailer.

The seal is a stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the state, your commission number, and your commission expiration date onto documents. North Carolina law specifies the information that must appear on the seal. A seal typically costs $15 to $40 depending on the style and where you buy it.

The journal is a bound record book where you write down every notarial act you perform: the date, the type of act, the names of the people involved, the document title, and your fee. You must keep this journal for at least five years. A blank notary journal costs $10 to $20. Some notaries use an electronic journal instead, which is allowed as long as it meets state requirements for security and record-keeping.

Understand your commission term and renewal

Your notary commission lasts five years from the date it is issued. Your commission certificate will show both the issue date and the expiration date. You can continue working as a notary until the expiration date; after that, you are no longer authorized to perform notarial acts.

To renew, you must pass the exam again and submit a renewal process with the $75 fee. The process is the same as the initial process. You should begin the renewal process at least four to six weeks before your commission expires to avoid a gap in your authorization.

Know what you can and cannot do as a notary

A notary public in North Carolina can perform several specific acts: acknowledge signatures, administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, certify copies of documents, and witness the signing of documents. You cannot give legal information, prepare legal documents, or represent someone in court. If someone asks you to do any of these things, you must decline and refer them to a lawyer.

You also cannot notarize a document for yourself or a family member in most cases, and you cannot notarize a signature if you do not personally know the signer or cannot verify their identity through government-issued ID. These rules protect the integrity of notarized documents and are enforced by the Secretary of State.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take a notary course before I can take the exam?

No. North Carolina does not require a course. You study the free Notary Public Handbook on your own and take the exam whenever you are ready. Some testing centers and community colleges offer optional prep classes, but they are not mandatory.

How much does it cost to become a notary in North Carolina?

The Secretary of State process fee is $75. The exam and testing center fees vary by location but typically range from $10 to $25. You will also need to buy a notary seal ($15 to $40) and a journal ($10 to $20) after you receive your commission. Total cost is usually between $110 and $160.

Can I work as a notary while my process is being processed?

No. You cannot perform any notarial acts until you receive your commission certificate from the Secretary of State. Processing takes two to four weeks, so plan accordingly if you need to be notarizing documents by a certain date.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You can take the exam again when ready. There is no waiting period between attempts, and you can retake it as many times as you need. Each attempt has its own testing center fee.

Can I renew my commission before it expires?

No. You must wait until your current commission is within a certain window of expiration before you can renew. Check the Secretary of State website for the exact renewal window, which is typically 90 days before expiration.