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.
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