NOTARY ACADEMY
North Carolina Notary Education & Professional Development
North Carolina requires formal education and examination for many notary applicants. But knowing what it takes to become commissioned is only part of preparing for the responsibilities you'll encounter.
Whether you're completing your initial education, preparing for recommissioning, or developing a notary business, Notary Academy provides ongoing education, practical learning, and professional development to support your next step.
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Where Are You in Your North Carolina Notary Career?
Preparing to Become a Notary
You're learning North Carolina's commissioning requirements, obtaining the current Notary Public Manual, completing required education, and preparing for the state examination.
Commissioned, But Still Finding Your Footing
You've received your commission, but now you're handling real appointments, signer identification, notarial certificates, unfamiliar requests, and situations requiring careful professional judgment.
Ready to Build a Stronger Business
You want to become more visible in your community, establish professional relationships, communicate more effectively with clients, and develop reliable systems that support the business you're building.
Wherever you are today, your next step should support what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Understanding North Carolina Notary Requirements
North Carolina notaries public are commissioned by the North Carolina Secretary of State under Chapter 10B of the North Carolina General Statutes.
The state establishes specific eligibility, education, examination, commissioning, and professional practice requirements. North Carolina also regulates traditional notarization, electronic notarization, and remote electronic notarization through separate statutory and administrative provisions.
Becoming a North Carolina Notary Public
Applicants must be at least 18 years old or legally emancipated under North Carolina law.
They must reside in North Carolina or maintain a regular place of work or business within the state, reside legally in the United States, and be able to speak, read, and write English. Applicants must also possess a high school diploma or equivalent, satisfy the state's character and eligibility standards, and meet the applicable education and examination requirements.
North Carolina requires notary applicants to purchase and maintain a personal copy of the current Secretary of State-approved Notary Public Manual. Applicants who are licensed members of the North Carolina State Bar are exempt from certain initial education and examination requirements. For other initial applicants, the commissioning process includes completing an approved course, passing the required examination, and submitting the application to the Secretary of State.
After approval, the appointee must complete the oath and qualification process through the Register of Deeds in the county of commissioning.
The required oath must ordinarily be completed within 45 days after commissioning. North Carolina law also permits the Register of Deeds to administer the oath by qualifying video conference procedures.
A commission does not authorize the performance of notarial acts until the required oath has been administered.
North Carolina notary commissions last five years unless earlier revoked or resigned. Commissioned notaries may perform authorized notarial acts throughout North Carolina.
North Carolina Notary Education and Examination
North Carolina requires initial applicants who are not licensed members of the North Carolina State Bar to complete at least six hours of Secretary of State-approved classroom instruction and pass a written examination.
The passing examination score is at least 80 percent.
The required education and examination must be completed within the three months preceding the initial application.
Course instruction addresses North Carolina notarial law, procedures, and ethics.
The North Carolina Secretary of State establishes the educational standards and certifies instructors who teach the required commissioning course.
State-required commissioning education must be completed through an approved course that satisfies North Carolina's requirements. General professional-development membership does not replace this course.
North Carolina Notary Renewal and Recommissioning
North Carolina notary commissions last five years.
A commissioned notary may apply for recommissioning beginning ten weeks before the existing commission expires.
For applicants whose commissions have not expired, recommissioning generally involves a new application and a passing score on the required written examination.
The examination requirement does not apply to licensed members of the North Carolina State Bar or to notaries who have been continuously commissioned in North Carolina since July 10, 1991, and have never been disciplined by the Secretary of State.
An individual may apply for recommissioning within one year after expiration. Additional education requirements apply in that circumstance unless the Secretary of State grants the statutory waiver.
A notary who has not completed the required recommissioning and oath process must not continue performing notarial acts under an expired commission.
Understanding the timing and exceptions applicable to recommissioning is important when planning a renewal.
The North Carolina Notary Public Manual, 2026
The North Carolina Secretary of State has released the 2026 edition of the North Carolina Notary Public Manual.
This edition replaces the 2016 manual and reflects changes affecting traditional notarization, electronic notarization, and remote electronic notarization.
North Carolina law requires each notary to maintain a personal copy of the current approved manual.
The 2026 manual is also required for participants completing the state's notary and electronic notary courses.
The official manual provides a central reference for notarial laws, procedures, professional responsibilities, and changes to North Carolina's notary framework.
Notaries should use the current edition and consult the Secretary of State's official updates rather than relying on superseded guidance.
North Carolina Notary Journals and Recordkeeping
North Carolina distinguishes among traditional notarial acts, electronic notarial acts, and emergency video notarizations for recordkeeping purposes.
For traditional notarizations, maintaining a journal is permitted and recommended as an important professional safeguard, but Chapter 10B does not impose a universal journal requirement for every traditional notarial act.
North Carolina establishes different recordkeeping requirements for different types of notarial acts. A journal is generally optional for traditional notarizations. Emergency video notarizations require a journal retained for at least ten years. Under G.S. 10B-134.15, remote electronic notarizations require an electronic journal with specific recordkeeping and retention obligations.
Emergency video notarizations have separate mandatory journal requirements, including specified information about the participants, identification, method of communication, and notarization.
A notary performing an emergency video notarization must securely retain the required journal for at least ten years.
Notaries should understand which records are mandatory for the type of act performed and maintain their records in accordance with applicable law and rules.
Electronic and Remote Notarization in North Carolina
North Carolina regulates in-person electronic notarization, emergency video notarization, and remote electronic notarization under different legal provisions.
In-Person Electronic Notarization
An electronic notarization involves an electronic record and an electronic notary authorized through registration with the Secretary of State.
The signer personally appears before the notary, but the document and notarial tools are electronic.
North Carolina requires additional approved education and examination for electronic notary registration. Under G.S. 10B-107, the course must be at least four hours.
Emergency Video Notarization
North Carolina separately authorizes emergency video notarization under G.S. 10B-25.
This procedure involves a tangible document and qualifying real-time video communication. It is not identical to remote electronic notarization.
Both the notary and the signer must be physically located in North Carolina and must meet the statute's applicable identity-verification, communication, certificate, document-delivery, and recordkeeping requirements.
CURRENT AUTHORIZATION: Emergency video notarization remains temporarily authorized until the earlier of 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2027, or the Secretary of State's issuance of the first remote electronic notarization platform license under G.S. 10B-134.19.
The expiration condition is important because the authorization may end before July 1, 2027.
Remote Electronic Notarization
North Carolina enacted the Remote Electronic Notarization Act, which establishes a separate framework involving electronic documents, authorized electronic notaries, approved technology, and specific identity-verification safeguards.
The Secretary of State's remote electronic notarization implementation materials continue to identify licensing, registration, and technology-provider processes that require official authorization.
Notaries should not assume that the existence of the statute, electronic notary registration, or permission to perform emergency video notarizations automatically authorizes them to begin remote electronic notarizations.
Before offering remote electronic notarization, notaries must confirm that the Secretary of State has made the applicable registration and licensed technology available and that all legal requirements have been satisfied.
Official North Carolina Notary Resources
The North Carolina Secretary of State administers notary commissioning, education standards, electronic notary registration, and official program guidance. Chapter 10B of the North Carolina General Statutes and the applicable administrative rules establish the controlling legal requirements.
Applicants and commissioned notaries should consult current official information when preparing for commissioning, renewal, electronic notarization, emergency video notarization, or remote electronic notarization.
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North Carolina Secretary of State: Notary Public: |
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North Carolina Commissioning and Renewal Forms |
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North Carolina Notary Manual, 2026 |
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North Carolina Notary FAQs |
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Electronic Notary Information |
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Emergency Video Notarization |
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Remote Electronic Notarization |
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North Carolina Notary Statutes: Chapter 10B |
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North Carolina Notary Rulemaking |
Your Commission Is Only the Beginning
North Carolina requires formal education and examination for many applicants. But passing the examination cannot prepare you for every professional situation.
What happens when a client presents an unfamiliar document? When you're uncertain about acceptable identification? When you need to determine whether an electronic or video-based notarization is legally authorized?
And if you're building a notary business, how do you become known by the people and organizations most likely to need your services?
These situations require knowledge of current law, professional judgment, practical experience, and reliable business systems.
Continuing your education gives you opportunities to strengthen your skills, recognize the limits of your authority, and make more informed professional decisions.
Your commission authorizes the work. What you learn and implement afterward shapes how you perform it.
Professional Development That Continues Beyond the Classroom
Notary Academy is a national notary education and professional development institution founded by Kimberly Sennett in 2020.
Our educational approach connects notarial knowledge, professional judgment, practical application, and business development.
Education Grounded in the Profession
Learn from experienced notary professionals who understand the responsibilities of the commission and the realities of serving clients.
Learning That Connects to Practice
Develop your understanding through education, real-world examples, practical resources, and opportunities to apply what you've learned.
A Path for Continued Business Growth
Whether you're strengthening foundations, establishing business, becoming visible, or refining skills, there is a structured pathway to help identify what deserves your attention next.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
What Happens After You Learn the Information?
Knowing the rules is one part of professional development. Knowing how to apply what you've learned, make decisions, communicate with clients, and operate your business takes continued practice.
The Notary Academy Inner Circle brings education, practical resources, live learning, and professional guidance together in one ongoing membership.
It's an environment where you can continue building your skills and business without having to piece together every next step on your own.
Build the Skills and Business That Fit Your Goals
North Carolina notaries serve in many different settings. Some perform notarial acts as part of their employment, while others are developing independent mobile notary businesses, building relationships with local professionals, or exploring electronic notarization after meeting the additional requirements.
The direction you choose should reflect your notarial authority, the services you're prepared to provide, your personal circumstances, and the business you want to build.
Developing your skills is only part of that process. Reliable communication, organized business operations, professional relationships, and local visibility all contribute to becoming a notary people know and trust.
Inside the Inner Circle, The Implementation Path helps members identify their current stage and focus on the work that matters most.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Develop your understanding of notarial responsibilities, procedures, compliance, and professional judgment.
Become Known in Your Community
Learn how to develop your professional presence, build local relationships, communicate your value, and become easier to find & hire.
Build With Intention
Develop business systems, evaluate your progress, practice unfamiliar situations, and make informed decisions about the future.
How do I become a Notary Public in North Carolina?
Does North Carolina require notary education and an examination for renewal?
How long does a North Carolina notary commission last?
Can North Carolina notaries perform electronic or remote notarizations?
Does Inner Circle membership replace North Carolina's required notary education?
Ready to Build More With Your North Carolina Notary Commission?
North Carolina requires you to demonstrate foundational notary knowledge before commissioning. Developing the skills, judgment, professional relationships, and business practices that support your long-term goals takes continued learning and intentional action.
If you're ready to strengthen your notarial knowledge, practice unfamiliar situations, become more visible in your community, and build a business that fits your goals, explore the professional development available through Notary Academy.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
