Guideline for becoming a Notary Public (01/11/2000)

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Appointment

• An applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• An applicant must reside in this state or if nonresident, be employed in this state.
• An applicant must satisfactorily complete a course of study that is approved by the Secretary of State consisting of not less than three hours nor more than six hours of classroom instruction provided by a community college in North Carolina, unless the person is a licensed member of the Bar of this State.
• An applicant must purchase and keep as a reference a manual approved by the Secretary of State that describes the duties, authority, and ethical responsibilities of notaries public. (Notary Public Guidebook for North Carolina)
• An applicant must submit an application containing no significant mis-statement or omission of fact. The application form shall be provided by the Secretary of State and be available at the Register of Deeds office in each county. Every application shall bear the signature of the applicant written with pen and ink, and the signature shall be acknowledged by the applicant before a person authorized to administer oaths (i.e. Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds or a Notary Public). The applicant shall also obtain the recommendation of one publicly elected official in North Carolina whose recommendation shall be contained on the application.
• Article VI section 8 of the Constitution of North Carolina disqualifies the following persons from holding office: any person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State of the United States, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that would also be a felony if it had been committed in this State, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of corruption or malpractice in any office, or any person who has been removed by impeachment from any office, and who has not been restored to the rights of a citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.
• An applicant must be able to read and write English.

 
Licensed Attorneys

Licensed members of the Bar of the State of North Carolina are exempt from the requirement of taking the Notary Public Course, but are not exempt from the requirement of purchasing and retaining a Notary Public Guidebook or obtaining the recommendation of an elected official.

 
Notary Course Information

The Notary courses are available at Nash Community College. Upon completion of the notary course, you'll receive the initial appointment form. After completing this form and signing in front of the notary you will need an elected official to recommend your appointment. The Community Colleges throughout North Carolina are now offering courses of study for notaries. If you have not attended one of these, we strongly urge you to contact the college of your choice for information and enroll in one of these classes. Next, you will receive a notice to be sworn in at the Register of Deeds Office.

 
The Notary Section

The Notary Public Section is available for assistance from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays. (919) 733-3406

The Notary Public Guidebook

The Notary Public Guidebook for North Carolina may be purchased for $17.08 (including tax, shipping and handling) from:

The Institute of Government
CB #3330 Knapp Building
UNC - Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27599-3330
(919) 966-4119

$50.00 Fee

Pursuant to Senate Bill 1115, the Notary Act at N.C. General Statue 10A-4(b)(6) is amended. The notary initial and re-appointments application fees are changed from $30.00 to $50.00. The fee is effective November 1, 2002.

The notary oath fee is $10.00.

Mail application and fee to:
Notary Public Section
Department of the Secretary of State
PO Box 29622
Raleigh, NC 27626-0622

If you need the Reappointment Application for N.C. Notary Public or other forms, click here. This is a fill-in form.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions.