Prohibited Acts, Misconduct & Liability
North Carolina disciplines notaries for false certificates, disqualifying interest, and unauthorized practice; the Secretary of State may restrict, suspend, or revoke a commission.
Disqualifying interest and false acts
A North Carolina notary may not notarize their own signature, may not notarize if the notary is a signer of or named in the record, or has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction, and may not execute a certificate the notary knows to be false. Notarizing without personal appearance is prohibited and can be a crime.
Unauthorized practice of law
A non-attorney North Carolina notary may not give legal advice, prepare legal documents, determine which certificate to use for the signer, or advertise as a 'notario publico.' North Carolina restricts language implying attorney-level services. Violations can lead to commission action and criminal liability.
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