Signer Identification & Satisfactory Evidence
North Carolina requires personal appearance and identification by personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, with specific rules on acceptable identification documents.
Satisfactory evidence
A North Carolina notary establishes identity by personal knowledge of the principal or by satisfactory evidence—a current government-issued ID with a photograph and signature (such as a driver license or passport), or the oath of a credible witness. The principal must personally appear before the notary at the time of the notarization.
Refusing the notarization
North Carolina law lists grounds for refusal: the notary is not satisfied as to the principal's identity, competence, or willingness; the principal did not personally appear; or the notary knows or suspects the act is fraudulent. A notary may not refuse solely on discriminatory grounds, but must refuse when these integrity concerns exist.
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