North Carolina Notary Public Manual - Chapter 1: Getting Started
Welcome to our latest blog series, where we delve into the key chapters of the North Carolina Notary Public Manual. I’m Cameron Evans with Cape Fear Notary Services, and I’m excited to take you on this journey through the essentials of becoming a notary public in North Carolina. Over the past 60 days, we've acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience as a newly commissioned notary public. However, the learning never stops, and in our pursuit of continuous improvement, we’re revisiting the Notary Public Manual. With some practical experience now under our belt, we’re eager to see what stands out, what we wish we had known before starting, and how we can refine our practices going forward. Whether you’re just beginning your notary journey or looking to deepen your understanding, this blog series is here to guide you. Today, we’re focusing on Chapter 1: Getting Started, which covers the fundamental qualifications and processes you'll need to know to become a notary public in North Carolina.
NOTARY MANUAL
Cameron Evans
8/19/20242 min read
Qualifications for Becoming a Notary
To become a notary public in North Carolina, you must meet specific qualifications as outlined in Section 10B-5 of the North Carolina General Statutes and Article VI, Section 8 of the North Carolina Constitution. These include:
Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old or legally emancipated, and you must either reside or have a regular place of work or business in North Carolina.
Legal Status: You must be legally residing in the United States.
Language Skills: You need to speak, read, and write the English language.
Educational Requirement: A high school diploma or its equivalent is necessary.
Criminal Record: You must not have any disqualifying convictions. This includes felony convictions under North Carolina or federal law, or any corruption and malpractice in public office. However, individuals who have been incarcerated or placed on probation can still apply for a commission after 10 years from the last day of their sentence.
Notary Public Instruction Course: Passing a notary public instruction course with a score of at least 80% is required. These courses are offered through the North Carolina Community College System and other institutions. Members of the North Carolina State Bar are exempt from this requirement.
Application and Fee: Lastly, you'll need to purchase the most recent Notary Public Manual and submit a properly completed application, along with a $50 non-refundable fee.
Term of Office and Jurisdiction
Once commissioned, your term as a notary public in North Carolina lasts for five years, beginning after you take the oath of office at your county’s register of deeds office. Your commission is valid throughout the state, allowing you to perform notarial acts in all 100 counties.
However, your authority is restricted to North Carolina. Notarial acts cannot be performed outside the state’s boundaries, although you may notarize documents intended for use in other states or countries, as long as the notarization occurs within North Carolina.
When notarizing documents from other jurisdictions, it's essential to ensure that the notarial certificate language aligns with North Carolina’s statutory requirements.
County of Commission and Filing the Oath of Office
Your commission will be issued in the county where you reside. If you're a non-resident, you'll be commissioned in the county where you work. Once your application is approved, you'll receive an oath notification letter, and you must take your oath of office at the register of deeds within 45 days of the issue date on the letter.
Failing to take the oath within this period will result in your commission being returned to the Department, requiring you to reapply. It's important to remember that performing notarial acts before taking the oath is illegal and constitutes a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
After taking the oath, your name and signature will be recorded in the register of deeds’ records, either manually or electronically. This record is kept in perpetuity and includes important details such as the date the oath was administered and any subsequent changes to your notarial status.
Conclusion
Chapter 1 of the North Carolina Notary Public Manual outlines the critical first steps in becoming a notary public. It’s essential to ensure you meet the qualifications, understand your term of office and jurisdiction, and properly file your oath of office.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll dive into Chapter 2 of the manual. If you found this information helpful, be sure to check back for more summaries and insights as we continue to explore the North Carolina Notary Public Manual. See you in the next post!
