Commission: Eligibility, Term, Bond & Oath
North Carolina commissions run five years. Applicants complete a 6-hour course, pass the exam, and take an oath before the register of deeds.
Eligibility, course, and exam
An applicant must be 18+, reside or have a regular place of work in North Carolina, be able to read and write English, and hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent. New applicants must complete a 6-hour in-person course (at a community college) using the North Carolina Notary Public Manual and pass the exam at 80%.
Oath before the register of deeds
After the commission is issued, the North Carolina notary must appear before the register of deeds in the county of application to take the oath of office within the time allowed, before performing notarial acts. A statewide surety bond is not required for a traditional NC commission. The commission term is five years.