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Become a Notary Public


To become a Notary Public, an applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Reside in North Carolina or, if nonresident, be employed in North Carolina.
  3. Satisfactorily complete a Notary Public course of study that is approved by the Secretary Of State. The course must consist 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 North Carolina.
  4. Purchase and keep (as a reference) the Notary Public Guidebook For North Carolina approved by the Secretary of State that describes the duties, authority, and ethical responsibilities of notaries public.
  5. Submit an Initial Application For North Carolina Notary Public form to the N.C. Secretary Of State, Notary Division office, along with a non-refundable application fee $50. (check or money order only). Mail application and fee to:


    Notary Public Division
    Department Of The Secretary Of State
    300 N. Salisbury Street
    Raleigh, NC 27603-5909

    For more information regarding becoming a Notary Public, visit: http://www.johnstoncc.edu/continuing-education/notary-public.aspx

  6. The applicant's signature shall be acknowledged before a person authorized to administer oaths (notary public). The applicant also shall obtain the recommendation of one publicly elected official in North Carolina whose recommendation shall be contained on the application.

  7. Be able to read and write English.

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 North Carolina or the United States.
  • Any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that also would be a felony if it had been committed in North Carolina.
  • Any person who has been adjudged guilty of corruption or malpractice in any office.
  • Any person who has been removed by impeachment from any office, and who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.

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.

Notary Public Guidebook

The Notary Public Guidebook can be purchased from:

The Institute Of Government
CB #3330 Knapp Building
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330

Phone: 919-966-4119

Cost: call Institute Of Government for current cost

The guidebook also can be purchased from a community college bookstore.

Course Information

For information concerning the Notary Public course, contact either Johnston Community College at (919) 934-3051, or your local Register Of Deeds office.

Being Sworn In

Upon receiving notice from the N.C. Secretary Of State office that the application has been processed:

  1. Go to Register Of Deeds office to be sworn in.
  2. Submit fee of $10 (cash, check, credit card, or money order).
  3. You must present  valid state or federal identification.

Notary Public Division

The state Notary Public Division is available for assistance from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Reappointment

The eligibility requirements for reappointment as Notary Public are the same. For Notary Public reappointment: no more than 30 days prior to expiration date, an applicant must:

Submit a Reappointment Application For North Carolina Notary Public form to the N.C. Secretary Of State, Notary Division office, along with a non-refundable application fee of $50 (check or money order only).

Mail application and fee to:

Notary Public Division
Department Of The Secretary Of State
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5909

Name Change

Per N.C.G.S. §104A-13(b), within 30 days after changing names, a Notary Public shall notify the Secretary of State of the change. To do so, the Notary Public must:

Submit a Name Change form to the N.C. Secretary Of State, Notary Division office. (No fee is required for name change only.) Mail application to:

Notary Public Division
Department Of The Secretary Of State
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5909

The Secretary Of State then shall cancel the Notary's commission under the old name, issue a commission under the new name, direct the Notary to reappear before the Register of Deeds to take the oath of office, and direct the Register of Deeds to correct The Record of Notaries Public. (The change is made for the duration of the existing term of Notary's commission. Expiration date will not change.)

Upon receiving confirmation of approval of the name change from the Secretary Of State Notary Division, the Notary must:

  1. Go to Register Of Deeds office to be sworn in.
  2. Submit fee of $10 (cash, check, credit card, or money order).

Note: A new stamp or seal must be obtained to match the new name of the commission/certificate.

Address Change

If the Notary Public changes counties with North Carolina, the Notary may continue to use the seal or stamp for the previous county of commission, but should submit an address change to the Notary Public Division. At the time of commission expiration, the Notary must re-apply for the correct county. There is no fee to change address only.

If a Notary Public changes name AND county AT THE SAME TIME, the Notary is required to complete the Reappointment Application For North Carolina Notary Public form, and submit it along with the $50.

Page last updated: December 18, 2023