How to become a notary in North Carolina
Eligibility, a 6-hour course, an exam, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Reside or have a regular place of work or business in North Carolina, and reside legally in the United States; non-residents are commissioned in the county of their NC employment or business (G.S. 10B-5); Speak, read and write English; high school diploma or equivalent; buy and keep the current Secretary-approved notary manual (2026 edition). The Secretary may deny for a felony or crime of dishonesty/moral turpitude (never within 10 years of release from prison, probation or parole), civil deceit findings, prior license discipline or unauthorized practice of law.
- Take the required notary course — 6 hours — Classroom course of not less than 6 hours (statute; community colleges typically schedule about 7 hours) taught by a Secretary-certified instructor, usually at an NC community college, taken within the 3 months before applying; licensed NC State Bar members are exempt.
- Pass the notary exam — Written exam given at the end of the course; 80% needed to pass; NC State Bar members exempt. Renewing notaries take a reappointment exam (80%, up to 3 attempts in 30 days).
- Complete the background check — No fingerprinting; the application requires disclosure of criminal convictions, license actions and civil findings.
- Apply to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section — Pay the $50 state fee. Other fees: $10 oath of office fee paid to the Register of Deeds; course tuition set by the college; notary manual purchase; $50 eNotary registration.
- Take the oath and file it — Appear before the Register of Deeds in the county of commissioning within 45 days of commissioning to take the oath ($10; may be done by video conference). The commission is not effective until the oath; if missed, the commission is returned and you must reapply.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: inked stamp or embosser with name exactly as commissioned, 'Notary Public', county (with 'County' or 'Co.') and 'North Carolina'/'N.C.'/'NC'; circular 1.5–2 in. diameter or rectangular max 1 x 2.5 in., with a visible border. Journal: Recommended (required for remote electronic notarizations).
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches North Carolina's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
North Carolina notary requirements
| Commissioned by | North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Reside or have a regular place of work or business in North Carolina, and reside legally in the United States; non-residents are commissioned in the county of their NC employment or business (G.S. 10B-5) |
| Course | Required — 6 hours Classroom course of not less than 6 hours (statute; community colleges typically schedule about 7 hours) taught by a Secretary-certified instructor, usually at an NC community college, taken within the 3 months before applying; licensed NC State Bar members are exempt |
| Exam | Required Written exam given at the end of the course; 80% needed to pass; NC State Bar members exempt. Renewing notaries take a reappointment exam (80%, up to 3 attempts in 30 days) |
| State fee | $50 |
| Other fees | $10 oath of office fee paid to the Register of Deeds; course tuition set by the college; notary manual purchase; $50 eNotary registration |
| Surety bond | None No surety bond required |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprinting; the application requires disclosure of criminal convictions, license actions and civil findings |
| Term | 5 years |
| Oath / filing | Appear before the Register of Deeds in the county of commissioning within 45 days of commissioning to take the oath ($10; may be done by video conference). The commission is not effective until the oath; if missed, the commission is returned and you must reapply |
| Seal | Required: inked stamp or embosser with name exactly as commissioned, 'Notary Public', county (with 'County' or 'Co.') and 'North Carolina'/'N.C.'/'NC'; circular 1.5–2 in. diameter or rectangular max 1 x 2.5 in., with a visible border |
| Journal | Recommended (required for remote electronic notarizations) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 per principal signature (acknowledgment, jurat, verification/proof) or per person for an oath; $15 per electronic signature; $25 per remote electronic notarization; mileage at the federal rate if agreed in writing beforehand |
| Remote online notary | Not authorized Electronic (in-person) notarization: register as an eNotary ($50, 4-hour course + exam, term matches commission). Remote Electronic Notarization (RENA, 2022 law) is not yet operational: no platform license issued yet, so Emergency Video Notarization (G.S. 10B-25) remains available until 12:01 AM July 1, 2027 or until the first RENA license is issued (HB 517, signed July 7, 2025) |
| Renewal | Apply no earlier than 10 weeks before expiration; $50 fee and the reappointment exam (waived for NC State Bar members); can reapply within one year after expiry, but the course may then be required again |
The journal for traditional acts became optional after S.L. 2023-124 (Sept 2023), but the SOS recommends one. The eNotary FAQ still says a 3-hour course, while G.S. 10B-107 (as amended 2023) says at least 4 hours. Notaries may not charge for witnessing absentee ballot documents
Sources: NC SOS – Notary Public Section · NC SOS – Become a Notary · NC SOS – Notary Fees · NC SOS – Notary FAQs · NC SOS – Notary Statutes. Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a North Carolina notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other North Carolina licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All North Carolina insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in North Carolina?
The state fee is $50, plus $10 oath of office fee paid to the Register of Deeds; course tuition set by the college; notary manual purchase; $50 eNotary registration. Add the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in North Carolina?
Up to 2 weeks if the application is complete and correct.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires a 6-hour course, an exam.
How much can a notary charge in North Carolina?
$10 per principal signature (acknowledgment, jurat, verification/proof) or per person for an oath; $15 per electronic signature; $25 per remote electronic notarization; mileage at the federal rate if agreed in writing beforehand.
Can I be an online notary in North Carolina?
North Carolina hasn't authorized its notaries to perform remote online notarizations (Electronic (in-person) notarization: register as an eNotary ($50, 4-hour course + exam, term matches commission). Remote Electronic Notarization (RENA, 2022 law) is not yet operational: no platform license issued yet, so Emergency Video Notarization (G.S. 10B-25) remains available until 12:01 AM July 1, 2027 or until the first RENA license is issued (HB 517, signed July 7, 2025)).