North Carolina Notary Public Exam Practice Test
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A full bank of original North Carolina Notary Public Exam practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
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A multiple-choice exam, and you need 80% to pass. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
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PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Acts
North Carolina's notary law is found primarily in:
- a.The Uniform Commercial Code
- b.G.S. Chapter 10B and the North Carolina Notary Public Manual
- c.The state constitution only
- d.Federal notary regulations
Answer: b
Explanation: North Carolina notarial authority and duties are set by G.S. Chapter 10B, and applicants study the North Carolina Notary Public Manual (2026 edition). The 6-hour course and exam are built on this material. Knowing the governing law is foundational.
- 2. Acts
A North Carolina principal asks the notary to decide which certificate the document needs. The non-attorney notary should:
- a.Not decide for the principal; let the document/principal specify or refer to an attorney
- b.Choose the acknowledgment
- c.Choose the verification
- d.Perform both
Answer: a
Explanation: Choosing the notarial certificate is a legal determination. A non-attorney North Carolina notary who selects it for the principal engages in unauthorized practice of law. The document or principal must specify the act; otherwise refer the principal to an attorney.
- 3. Id
How does a North Carolina notary establish a principal's identity?
- a.By the principal's spoken name
- b.By personal knowledge or a current government photo ID with signature (or a credible witness)
- c.By a utility bill
- d.By a mailed ID copy
Answer: b
Explanation: Identity is established by personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence—a current government-issued ID bearing a photograph and signature, or the oath of a credible witness. The principal must personally appear before the North Carolina notary at the time of the act.
- 4. Id
A North Carolina principal did not appear, but a relative brought the signed document. The notary should:
- a.Refuse—personal appearance is required
- b.Notarize because a relative vouches
- c.Notarize for a reduced fee
- d.Notarize only an acknowledgment
Answer: a
Explanation: Personal appearance by the principal at the time of the act is mandatory. A North Carolina notary may not notarize a signature for someone who did not appear, regardless of a relative's assurance. Notarizing without appearance is prohibited and can be a crime.
- 5. Journal
A North Carolina journal entry should record:
- a.The principal's income
- b.The notary's home value
- c.The date/time, type of act, document type, principal's name and how identified, and the fee
- d.Nothing
Answer: c
Explanation: Useful (and, for electronic/RON acts, required) entries record the date and time, the type of act, the document type, the principal's name and how identity was verified, and the fee. Records help the notary respond if an act is later questioned.
- 6. Prohibited
A non-attorney North Carolina notary advertises as a 'notario publico.' This is:
- a.Encouraged
- b.Required
- c.Restricted, because it implies the ability to provide legal services
- d.Only allowed for RON
Answer: c
Explanation: North Carolina restricts a non-attorney notary from using 'notario publico,' which implies attorney-level authority in some countries. Giving legal advice, preparing legal documents, or choosing the certificate for the signer is likewise prohibited unauthorized practice of law.
- 7. Commission
Before performing acts, a North Carolina notary must take the oath of office before:
- a.The Governor
- b.The register of deeds in the county of application
- c.A federal judge
- d.The community college instructor
Answer: b
Explanation: After the commission issues, the North Carolina notary must appear before the register of deeds in the county of application to take the oath of office before performing notarial acts. A statewide surety bond is not required for a traditional NC commission.
- 8. Fees
Under G.S. 10B-31, the maximum fee for a traditional North Carolina notarial act is:
- a.$2 per signature
- b.$5 per principal signature
- c.$15 per signature
- d.No limit
Answer: b
Explanation: North Carolina caps the fee for a traditional notarial act at $5 per principal signature. Electronic and remote (RON) acts have a higher statutory maximum (for example, up to $10 per act). A notary may charge less but never more than the cap; verify current figures.
- 9. Seal
Which element must a North Carolina notary seal include?
- a.The principal's photo
- b.The notary's home address
- c.The notary's name as commissioned, 'Notary Public,' county of commissioning, and 'North Carolina'
- d.The register of deeds' signature
Answer: c
Explanation: A North Carolina seal must show the notary's name as commissioned, 'Notary Public,' the county of commissioning, and 'North Carolina' (or 'NC'), and be photographically reproducible. It appears near the signature; the certificate also states the commission expiration date.
- 10. Enotary
To perform remote (RON) notarizations in North Carolina, a notary must:
- a.Do nothing extra
- b.Hold a traditional commission, register separately for RON, complete additional education, and use an approved platform
- c.Give up paper notarization
- d.Move out of state
Answer: b
Explanation: A North Carolina notary must first hold a traditional commission, then register separately to perform electronic and/or remote (RON) notarizations, complete the required additional education, and use an approved platform with audio-video technology and identity verification.