Do you need a bond to be a notary in North Carolina?

No. North Carolina does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

Do you need a high school diploma to become a North Carolina notary?

Yes. North Carolina requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which is unusual among states and is checked as part of eligibility.

How much can a North Carolina notary charge?

Up to $5 per notarial act under Chapter 10B. Travel fees for mobile work are separate from that regulated amount.

What happens if you miss the 45-day oath deadline?

Your appointment is void and you must reapply with a new $50 fee, so take your oath at the Register of Deeds as soon as your notification letter arrives.

How long does a North Carolina notary commission last?

Five years. You reapply and pass the exam again to renew, ideally starting about ten weeks before it expires.

How to Become a Notary in North Carolina (2026): Steps, Cost & Oath

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. North Carolina notary rules are set in Chapter 10B of the General Statutes and can change, so confirm the details with the North Carolina Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in North Carolina you must be 18, live or work in the state, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete a six-hour community college course, and pass an 80% exam. You then apply to the Secretary of State with a $50 fee, and once approved you have 45 days to take your oath before the Register of Deeds. There is no bond and the term is five years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in North Carolina?

Becoming a North Carolina notary typically costs $200 to $240, mostly because of the required community college course and manual. The fixed state charges are the $50 application fee and the $10 oath fee at the Register of Deeds. The rest is the course, the 2026 Notary Public Manual you must buy, your stamp, and an optional journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in North Carolina?

You become a North Carolina notary by completing the community college course, applying to the Secretary of State, and taking an oath locally. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, live or work in North Carolina, hold a high school diploma or GED, and read and write English.
Take the six-hour course and pass the exam. Complete the approved community college course, buy the current manual, and pass the written exam at 80%; our North Carolina notary exam practice test helps you prepare.
Apply within three months. Submit the application your instructor signed, with the $50 fee, to the Secretary of State Notary Public Section within three months of finishing the course.
Watch for your Oath Notification Letter. The Secretary of State reviews the application and mails a letter telling you to take your oath.
Take your oath within 45 days. Appear at the Register of Deeds in your county, pay the $10 oath fee, and receive your commission; only then can you notarize.

What is the 45-day oath deadline in North Carolina?

North Carolina gives you 45 days from the date of your Oath Notification Letter to appear before the Register of Deeds and take your oath, and missing it voids the appointment. If the 45 days lapse you must start over with a new application and another $50 fee, even though you already passed the course and exam. Your commission does not exist until the oath is recorded, so schedule the Register of Deeds visit as soon as the letter arrives.

What are the requirements to become a North Carolina notary?

North Carolina has one of the more thorough sets of requirements in the country. You must be at least 18, able to speak, read, and write English, residing legally in the United States, and either a resident of North Carolina or regularly employed in the state. Unlike most states, you also need a high school diploma or GED, and you must complete a six-hour course at an approved community college and pass an exam before you can apply. North Carolina does not require a bond, and licensed North Carolina attorneys are exempt from the course and exam.

Can you be an electronic or remote notary in North Carolina?

You can, but the remote rules are in transition in 2026, so check the current status before you rely on them. North Carolina's temporary Emergency Video Notarization is set to end on July 1, 2026, or when the Secretary of State issues the first license under the new Remote Electronic Notarization Act, whichever comes first. Electronic notarization through the in-person electronic process is separate and requires holding a traditional commission first, then completing additional registration with the Secretary of State.

How do you renew a North Carolina notary commission?

You renew by reapplying no earlier than about ten weeks before your five-year commission ends, and you must pass the exam again. North Carolina treats reappointment much like a first application, so you complete the renewal application, pay the fee, and take a new oath before the Register of Deeds. If your commission has lapsed, expect to retake the full course as well, so renew on time to keep the process short.

Becoming a North Carolina notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in North Carolina?: No. North Carolina does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
Do you need a high school diploma to become a North Carolina notary?: Yes. North Carolina requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which is unusual among states and is checked as part of eligibility.
How much can a North Carolina notary charge?: Up to $5 per notarial act under Chapter 10B. Travel fees for mobile work are separate from that regulated amount.
What happens if you miss the 45-day oath deadline?: Your appointment is void and you must reapply with a new $50 fee, so take your oath at the Register of Deeds as soon as your notification letter arrives.
How long does a North Carolina notary commission last?: Five years. You reapply and pass the exam again to renew, ideally starting about ten weeks before it expires.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: North Carolina Secretary of State, Notary Public Section; North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 10B (sections 10B-5, 10B-13, 10B-31); and the 2026 North Carolina Notary Public Manual (UNC School of Government). Confirm current fees and steps with the North Carolina Secretary of State before applying.