What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in North Carolina
To become a notary 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's office, submit an process with your exam results, and pay a fee. The entire process typically takes four to six weeks from exam to commission.
North Carolina does not require you to take a preparatory course before the exam, though many people study using the official study guide published by the Secretary of State. You can sit for the exam at any of the Secretary of State's regional offices or at approved testing locations around the state.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, a North Carolina resident, and able to read and write English to sit for the notary exam.
- The written exam covers North Carolina notary law and is administered by the Secretary of State's office at multiple locations statewide.
- After passing the exam, you submit an process to the Secretary of State along with the exam results and a nonrefundable fee of $75.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and requires you to maintain a journal of all notarial acts you perform.
- You can renew your commission by retaking the exam and submitting a renewal process before your current commission expires.
Meeting the Basic Requirements
North Carolina's requirements to become a notary 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 within the past 20 years. The state does not require you to be a business owner, work in a specific field, or have prior notary experience.
Residency means you must live in North Carolina, though you do not need to have lived there for any minimum length of time before explore. If you move out of state, your commission becomes void and you cannot continue to perform notarial acts in North Carolina.
Taking the Notary Exam
The North Carolina notary exam is a written test administered by the Secretary of State's office. The exam covers North Carolina notary law, the duties and limitations of notaries, proper identification procedures, and how to complete notarial certificates correctly. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam, and you must score at least 70 percent to pass.
You can take the exam at the Secretary of State's main office in Raleigh or at regional testing locations in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington. You can also sit for the exam at certain approved testing centers throughout the state. To schedule your exam, contact the Secretary of State's Notary Section directly or visit their website to find current testing dates and locations.
The Secretary of State publishes an official study guide that covers all material on the exam. While you are not required to use it, most people find it helpful because it outlines exactly what the exam will test. You can purchase the study guide from the Secretary of State's office or read it online.
Submitting Your process and Paying the Fee
After you pass the exam, you submit an process to the Secretary of State's Notary Section along with your exam results. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and contact information. You must also declare that you meet all the requirements and have not been convicted of a disqualifying felony.
The nonrefundable fee for a notary commission in North Carolina is $75. You pay this fee when you submit your process, not when you take the exam. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card, depending on how you submit your process. Once the Secretary of State receives your completed process and fee, processing typically takes two to four weeks.
Receiving Your Commission and Understanding Your Duties
When your process is approved, the Secretary of State issues you a notary commission certificate. Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You can begin performing notarial acts as soon as you receive your certificate.
As a notary, you are required to maintain a journal of all notarial acts you perform. This journal must include the date, type of notarial act, the name and address of the person whose signature you notarized, the type of identification you examined, and any fees you charged. You must keep this journal for at least five years after your commission expires. The journal is a public record and can be subpoenaed in legal proceedings.
North Carolina law limits what notaries can do. You cannot notarize your own signature, the signature of a spouse or blood relative, or the signature of anyone with whom you have a financial interest. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a direct financial interest in the transaction.
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Your notary commission expires four years after it is issued. To renew, you must retake the notary exam and submit a renewal process to the Secretary of State before your current commission expires. The renewal fee is the same as the initial fee: $75.
You should begin the renewal process at least two months before your commission expires to may support there is no gap in your authority to perform notarial acts. If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot legally perform any notarial acts until you receive a new commission.
Obtaining a Notary Seal and Journal
Once you receive your commission, you must obtain a notary seal and journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the words "Notary Public," and your commission expiration date onto documents. You can purchase a seal from office supply stores, online retailers, or companies that specialize in notary supplies.
The journal is a bound book where you record each notarial act. You can purchase a notary journal from the same sources as the seal. North Carolina does not specify a particular format for the journal, but it must be bound so that pages cannot be removed or altered. Some notaries use a hardcover ledger book; others use a spiral-bound journal with numbered pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a notary in North Carolina if I have a criminal record?
You cannot become a notary if you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or fraud within the past 20 years. Other felonies may not disqualify you, but you should contact the Secretary of State's Notary Section to ask about your specific situation before you explore.
How much does it cost to become a notary in North Carolina?
The exam itself is free to take. The process fee is $75, which is nonrefundable. You will also need to purchase a notary seal and journal, which typically cost between $20 and $50 combined, depending on where you buy them.
Do I need to take a notary course before I can take the exam?
No. North Carolina does not require you to take a course. However, the Secretary of State publishes a free study guide that covers all exam material, and many people find it helpful to study this guide before sitting for the exam.
Can I notarize documents for my family members?
No. North Carolina law prohibits you from notarizing the signature of a spouse, blood relative, or anyone with whom you have a financial interest. You also cannot notarize your own signature.
What happens if my notary commission expires?
Once your commission expires, you can no longer perform any notarial acts. If you want to continue working as a notary, you must retake the exam and submit a renewal process before your current commission ends. If your commission has already expired, you must explore as a new notary.