North Carolina Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & Wording
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects North Carolina General Statutes 10B-41 under the Notary Public Act, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State before relying on it.
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Fillable North Carolina acknowledgment certificate
Enter the county, the date, and one or more principal names, and the certificate updates live with the statutory North Carolina wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity.
What is the exact North Carolina acknowledgment wording?
North Carolina's acknowledgment under G.S. 10B-41 opens with the state and county, then certifies that each named person appeared and acknowledged signing for the stated purpose.
North Carolina, ______ County
I certify that the following person(s) personally appeared before me this day, each acknowledging to me that he or she voluntarily signed the foregoing document for the purpose stated therein and in the capacity indicated: ____________ (name(s) of principal(s)).
___________________________________
Official Signature of Notary
____________, Notary Public
(Official Seal)
My commission expires: ______
Can one North Carolina certificate cover several signers?
Yes, a single North Carolina acknowledgment can name more than one principal, because the form reads "the following person(s) personally appeared before me this day, each acknowledging." When two people sign the same document, such as a married couple on a deed, the notary can list both names in one certificate rather than completing a separate one for each. Every named person still has to appear in person and be identified. This is a practical difference from the strict single-signer short forms other states use, and it saves a step on multi-party documents.
What makes the North Carolina wording different?
North Carolina's wording is fuller than the one-line acknowledgment many states adopted, certifying that the person "voluntarily signed the foregoing document for the purpose stated therein and in the capacity indicated." That single phrase captures three things at once: the act was voluntary, the signer knew the document's purpose, and they signed in whatever capacity the document names. By signing the certificate, the notary certifies that the principal appeared in person on the date shown and that the notary either knew them or verified identity through satisfactory evidence.
| Element | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Venue | North Carolina and the county |
| Principals | One or more named persons who appeared |
| Date | The date each person appeared |
| Notary | Signature, printed name, seal, commission expiration |
Does a North Carolina notary have to print their name?
Not always, because G.S. 10B-41 says the printed or typed name is not required if the notary's name can be read near the signature, elsewhere in the certificate, or from the seal. In practice most North Carolina notaries still print the name under the signature, since the seal alone can smudge and an unreadable name invites a question at recording. The safest habit is to include a legible printed name even when the statute would excuse it. The seal and the commission expiration date remain required regardless.
Who commissions notaries in North Carolina?
The Secretary of State commissions North Carolina notaries for a five-year term, after the applicant completes an education course, passes an examination, and meets the residency and English-language requirements. A notary must be a resident of North Carolina or a resident of an adjoining state who works in North Carolina. After the commission is approved, the notary takes an oath before the register of deeds in their county before performing any acts. The commission must be renewed before it expires to keep acting without a break.
North Carolina acknowledgment: frequently asked questions
- What statute governs North Carolina acknowledgment forms?
- G.S. 10B-41 sets the notarial certificate for an acknowledgment under the North Carolina Notary Public Act, Chapter 10B.
- Can one North Carolina certificate cover several signers?
- Yes. The form says "the following person(s) personally appeared, each acknowledging," so multiple principals can be named in a single certificate.
- Does a North Carolina notary have to print their name?
- The printed or typed name is not required if the notary's name is legible near the signature, elsewhere in the certificate, or from the seal.
- Does the signer sign in front of the North Carolina notary?
- Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the principal must appear in person before the notary and acknowledge the signature.
- How long is a North Carolina notary commission?
- Five years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, after completing an education course and passing an examination.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: North Carolina General Statutes 10B-41 (North Carolina General Assembly); the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State notary resources. Confirm current wording before relying on it.