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This guide covers all the requirements, costs, processing times, and eligibility criteria you’ll need to launch your notarial career in NC.
Meet NC Notary eligibility requirements
Complete a six-hour approved notary course
Pass the required exam with at least 80%
Complete and notarize the application
Submit the application with a $50 fee within three months
Take your oath of office at the county Register of Deeds within 45 days
Purchase a notary seal/stamp
Optionally, become an electronic or remote notary
Renew every five years with re-education and renewal application
Get started as a loan signing agent today!
A North Carolina notary commission is valid for five years and allows you to perform acknowledgments, oaths, jurats, and verifications.
The total cost varies based on required and optional supplies. Below is a cost breakdown:
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Notary Course | $70–$229 | Six-hour community college class |
| Notary Manual | $20–$30 | Required up-to-date manual |
| Application Fee | $50 | Paid when submitting notarized application |
| Oath of Office Fee | $10 | Paid at the Register of Deeds |
| Notary Seal/Stamp | ≈$30 | From approved vendors after commissioning |
| Total Estimated Cost | $180–$349 | Varies by course provider and vendor pricing |
If your application is complete and accurate, processing usually takes up to two weeks.
To qualify as a Notary Public in North Carolina, applicants must:
Be at least 18 years old or emancipated
Be a resident or conduct business in NC
Be able to read, write, and speak English
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
Not have been released from incarceration within the past 10 years
A six-hour in-person course is required (attorneys exempt from course but not supply)
Exam requires a score of 80% or higher
If you fail, you have three attempts within 30 days before retaking the course
Obtain and complete the notary application within three months of your course
Have it notarized
Submit the application with $50 fee
Receive your Oath Notification Letter
Appear at the Register of Deeds within 45 days of notification
Present ID, pay $10 oath fee, take the oath, and receive your commission certificate
To perform notarizations in North Carolina, Notaries need:
Notary Seal or Stamp – Seal must show name, “Notary Public,” county, “North Carolina” (or NC), and may optionally include expiration date
Notary Journal – A journal is not required, but strongly recommended for recordkeeping
Reapply up to 10 weeks before commission expires
Pass the written exam again
Submit renewal application and $52 fee
Take reminder oath at Register of Deeds within 45 days
NC allows electronic notarizations and remote online notarization (RON) after obtaining an electronic notary commission
That requires additional four-hour electronic course, exam, filing, and $50 registration fee
RON involves secure video platforms and strict ID/recording protocols
Becoming a Notary Public in North Carolina involves completing a course and exam, filing a notarized application, swearing an oath, and acquiring a compliant seal. With your five-year commission, you’re ready to notarize documents across NC. You can also opt into electronic or remote notarization if needed.
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