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, pay a fee, and submit your process. 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 notaries study practice materials beforehand. The exam covers notarial law, ethics, and common procedures — it is not difficult if you understand the rules, but it does require you to know specific details about what notaries can and cannot do in the state.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a North Carolina resident, and able to read and write English to sit for the notary exam.
- The exam is administered by the North Carolina Secretary of State and covers notarial law, ethics, and procedures specific to the state.
- After passing the exam, you pay the commission fee and submit your process to receive your notary commission, which lasts four years.
- Your notary commission is valid only while you live in North Carolina; if you move out of state, your commission ends.
- You must purchase a notary seal and journal before you can perform notarial acts, and both are your responsibility to buy and maintain.
Meet the Basic Requirements
North Carolina has straightforward baseline requirements. 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 — the Secretary of State's office will check your background when you submit your process.
Residency is required throughout your commission. If you move out of North Carolina, your notary commission automatically ends. You do not need to hold any particular job or education level, and you do not need to work in a bank, law office, or any other specific setting — notaries in North Carolina can work independently or as part of any business.
Register for and Pass the Notary Exam
The North Carolina Secretary of State's office administers the notary exam. You register through their website or by mail. The exam costs a fee (currently around $30, though this can change) and covers North Carolina notarial law, ethics, and the procedures you must follow when notarizing documents.
The exam is multiple choice and typically takes about an hour. You need to score at least 80 percent to pass. The Secretary of State's office publishes a study guide that covers the exact topics on the exam — this is your primary resource. Many notaries also purchase practice exam books from legal publishers, though these are optional.
You can take the exam at designated testing centers across the state. After you pass, the Secretary of State's office sends you a notice of passage. You then have a set window (usually 90 days) to submit your process and pay the commission fee, or you must retake the exam.
Submit Your process and Pay the Commission Fee
Once you pass the exam, you submit your process to the North Carolina Secretary of State along with the commission fee. The current fee is around $75 for a four-year commission, though fees can change. You can submit your process by mail or through the Secretary of State's online portal.
The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and background information. You must certify that you meet all the requirements and have not been convicted of a disqualifying felony. The Secretary of State's office processes applications in the order received, and approval typically takes two to four weeks.
Once approved, you receive your notary commission certificate in the mail. This certificate is your proof that you are a commissioned notary and is valid for four years from the date of issuance. You can renew your commission before it expires by submitting a renewal process and fee.
Purchase a Notary Seal and Journal
Before you perform your first notarial act, you must purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. These are not provided by the state — you buy them yourself from office supply stores, legal publishers, or online retailers.
Your notary seal is a stamp or embosser that imprints your name, commission number, and the state of North Carolina onto documents. North Carolina allows either a rubber stamp or an embosser; many notaries use both. The seal must be legible and include your name, the words "Notary Public," your commission number, and the state.
Your notary journal is a record book where you document every notarial act you perform. For each notarization, you write the date, the type of act, the document title, the signer's name and address, the type of identification shown, and your fee. This journal is a legal record and must be kept for at least five years. If your journal is lost or stolen, you must report it to the Secretary of State.
Understand What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary
North Carolina notaries can perform several standard acts: acknowledge signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits, and certify copies of certain documents. You can notarize documents for people you know and for strangers, as long as you follow the rules.
You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if you are a party to the document, or if the signer is not present in front of you. You also cannot provide legal information, prepare documents, or tell someone what they should sign — your role is only to verify the signer's identity and confirm that they are signing of their own free will.
If someone asks you to notarize a document and you are unsure whether it is within your authority, it is better to decline. Notaries who perform acts outside their authority can face fines and loss of commission.
Renew Your Commission Before It Expires
Your notary commission lasts four years. About 60 days before your commission expires, you should begin the renewal process. You submit a renewal process and fee to the Secretary of State's office — you do not have to retake the exam to renew.
The renewal fee is similar to the original commission fee. If you renew on time, your new commission begins on the expiration date of your old one, so there is no gap in your authority. If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notarial acts until your renewal is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take a notary course before I can take the exam?
No. North Carolina does not require a preparatory course. You can study the Secretary of State's official study guide on your own and take the exam. Many people pass without formal instruction, though some notaries find a course helpful for understanding the material more thoroughly.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
Yes, as long as you are not a party to the document and have no financial interest in it. For example, you can notarize a family member's affidavit, but you cannot notarize a deed if you inherit property from it or a loan document if you are the lender.
What happens if I move out of North Carolina?
Your notary commission automatically ends when you move out of state. You cannot perform notarial acts in North Carolina once you are no longer a resident. If you move back to North Carolina later, you would need to reapply and pass the exam again.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
North Carolina law sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act. You can charge less or perform notarizations for free, but you cannot charge more than $5. Keep a record of your fees in your notary journal.
What if I lose my notary seal or journal?
Report the loss to the North Carolina Secretary of State when ready. You must purchase a replacement seal and journal. If your journal is lost, document the loss in writing and keep that record for your files, as it may be requested if a notarization you performed is questioned later.