Notarial Acts & Their Differences
A North Carolina notary may take acknowledgments, take verifications or proofs (jurats), administer oaths and affirmations, and—with additional authorization—perform electronic and remote notarizations, all under G.S. Chapter 10B.
Notarial acts under Chapter 10B
North Carolina notaries take acknowledgments, administer oaths/affirmations, and take verifications or proofs (jurats). Each act has a prescribed certificate in the North Carolina Notary Public Manual. The notary must confirm personal appearance and identity, and, for a verification, administer the oath. Signature witnessing and copy certification of certain documents are handled per Chapter 10B rules.
Acknowledgment vs. verification (jurat)
In an acknowledgment the principal declares they signed voluntarily; the document may be pre-signed. In a verification or proof (jurat) the signer signs in the notary's presence and swears the statement is true. North Carolina uses the term 'verification or proof.' A non-attorney notary must not choose the act for the signer—that is unauthorized practice of law.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- Prelicensing education
- 6 hours (classroom course at a NC community college; G.S. §10B-8)
- Passing score
- 80%
Does North Carolina require a notary course and exam?
Yes. New applicants must complete a 6-hour classroom course offered by the state's community colleges and pass a written exam given as part of that course. Attorneys licensed by the NC State Bar are exempt from the exam.
What score do I need to pass the North Carolina notary exam?
You must score 80% or better to pass.
How much can a North Carolina notary charge per act?
As of July 1, 2023, North Carolina notaries may charge up to $10.00 per principal signature for traditional acknowledgments, jurats, verifications, and proofs (raised from $5), $15 for electronic notarization, and $25 for a remote online notarization.
How long is a North Carolina notary commission?
A North Carolina notary commission runs for 5 years.
Sources: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/notary, https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_10B/GS_10B-8.html, https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/pdf/bysection/chapter_10b/gs_10b-31.pdf