Notary Public
North Carolina
Notary Public Commission Requirements
5 years
Commission Term
before renewal
6 hours
Education Required
check format
Yes
Exam Required
80%
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedComplete a 6-hour notary education course at a NC community college
Pass the notary exam with a score of 80% or higher (3 attempts within 30 days)
Obtain the official NC Notary Public Guidebook (mandatory)
Submit completed application to the Secretary of State with $50 non-refundable fee (check/money order)
Wait for application approval
Upon approval, take the oath of office ($10 fee) before a register of deeds
Purchase a notary seal/stamp
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must reside legally in North Carolina, OR reside in a bordering state (VA, TN, GA, SC) and regularly work or have a business in North Carolina
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required6 hours
Must complete a 6-hour notary education course provided by a North Carolina community college. This is a classroom instruction requirement. Course must be approved by the Secretary of State. The course ranges from 3 to 6 hours per state law (minimum 3, maximum 6), but in practice the standard course is 6 hours.
Online courses: Not allowed
Exam
RequiredWritten exam administered at the end of the education course. Must pass with a score of 80% or higher. Applicants have three attempts within 30 days; failure after three attempts requires retaking the entire course.
Passing score: 80%
Administered by: Community college education provider
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredNorth Carolina does NOT require a surety bond for notaries public.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required but is recommended for protection against claims of negligence.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredCircular or rectangular stamp or embosser. Circular seals must measure 1.5"-2" diameter; rectangular seals cannot exceed 2.5" x 1". Must contain: notary's name, 'Notary Public,' county name, and 'North Carolina' or abbreviation.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Bond Premium North Carolina does not require a surety bond. | N/A - no bond required |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Course cost varies by community college provider. | $70-$229 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes course ($70-$229), NC notary manual ($20-$30), application fee ($50), oath ($10), seal ($30). No bond cost. | $180-$349 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
5 years
Renewal Process
Must complete new education course and pass exam again. Submit renewal application to Secretary of State with fee. Take new oath of office.
Renewal Fee
$50
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
The Remote Electronic Notarization Act (RONA) became permanent law in North Carolina on July 1, 2023. As of July 1, 2025, notaries must follow updated RON rules requiring state-approved platforms, strict identity checks, and special limits for remote oaths tied to court proceedings.
Additional Requirements
Must obtain separate Electronic Notary Commission from Secretary of State (requires additional 4-hour course and separate application). Must use SoS-approved secure RON platform. Notary must be physically in NC; signer can be anywhere. Must maintain secure electronic journal and recordings. Can charge up to $25 per principal signature for RON acts. NOT permitted for: self-proved wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts, death beneficiary acknowledgments, codicils, relinquishment of parental rights, or mail-in absentee ballots.
Important Notes
What Makes North Carolina Unique
North Carolina uniquely requires the notary education course to be taken at a NC community college rather than accepting online courses from commercial providers. The state also requires applicants to have a high school diploma or GED. NC has a 5-year commission term. RON was permanently authorized in 2023 but with notable document exclusions. The official NC Notary Public Guidebook is mandatory to obtain. Contact Notary Public Section at 919-814-5400.
NC requires the education course to be taken at a North Carolina community college - online courses from other providers are not accepted for the standard notary commission.
5-year commission term (longer than the 4-year term common in many states).
No surety bond is required.
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) - one of the few states with this explicit education prerequisite.
Must not have been incarcerated within the past 10 years.
The NC Notary Public Guidebook is mandatory - must be obtained during the application process.
RON has specific document exclusions (wills, trusts, parental rights, absentee ballots).
Electronic Notary Commission is separate and requires an additional 4-hour course.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
education_hours
NC General Statutes state the course must be 'not less than three hours nor more than six hours.' NNA and official guidance reference the 6-hour standard. In practice, community colleges typically offer the full 6-hour course.
Listed as 6 hours based on NNA and practical standard. Noted the statutory range of 3-6 hours.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in North Carolina
North Carolina requires 6 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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