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A notary public is a person who is commissioned by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness in the taking of affidavits, depositions, and acknowledgments.
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Introduction
A notary public is a person who has been appointed by the state to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Notaries are impartial witnesses to the signing of documents and affirm that the person signing is doing so willingly and under their own free will. In North Carolina, notaries are regulated by the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Becoming a notary in North Carolina is a relatively simple process. First, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. You must also have no criminal convictions on your record. Once you have met these requirements, you can begin the application process by filling out an application form and submitting it to the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office.
You will also need to take an oath of office and submit a surety bond to the Secretary of State’s office. The surety bond is a financial guarantee that you will perform your duties as a notary public in accordance with state law. Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a commission certificate which will allow you to begin working as a notary public in North Carolina.
What is a notary and what do they do?
A notary public is a person commissioned by the state to witnesses the signing of important documents and administer oaths. A notary’s main function is to deter fraud by attesting to the identity of a person who is signing a document. A notary can also take depositions, certify copies of certain documents and take acknowledgments.
A notary must be impartial and cannot offer legal advice. Notaries are regulated by the state in which they work and are required to take an oath of office and have their commission certified by the county clerk.
In North Carolina, notaries are appointed by the Governor for a four-year term.
The requirements to become a notary in North Carolina
In order to become a notary in North Carolina, you must:
-Be at least 18 years of age
-Be a legal resident of the United States
-Be a resident of North Carolina, or a county contiguous to North Carolina
-Have no felony convictions
-Have no notary public commission revoked in any jurisdiction within the past 10 years
In addition, you must complete a notary public education course approved by the North Carolina Secretary of State.
The process of becoming a notary in North Carolina
To become a notary in North Carolina, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of North Carolina or have a workplace or principal place of business in North Carolina
Be able to read and write in English
Have no felony convictions
Submit an application to the county Register of Deeds in the county where you reside or have your workplace or principal place of business
Pay a $60 application fee
Attend a three-hour training course on notary public duties and responsibilities conducted by either the NC Secretary of State’s Office or an approved provider. The fee for the training course is $40. Pass a written examination administered by either the NC Secretary of State’s Office or an approved provider. There is no fee for the examination. Purchase a surety bond in the amount of $7,500. The premium for the bond is paid to the surety company, not to the state. Complete and submit Notary Public Oath form N.C.GS. 10B-9 with original signatures to the Register of Deeds office where you will be commissioned
Upon completion of these requirements, you will be sworn in as a notary public by the register of deeds and issued your official seal.
The duties of a notary in North Carolina
A notary in North Carolina has the power to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments of deeds, powers of attorney, and other Instruments duly signed and acknowledged before him or her. He or she may also take the depositions of witnesses in cases pending in any court of this State. A notary public may certify copies of documents if he or she has satisfactory evidence that they are true copies.
A notary public must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of North Carolina, and cannot have been convicted of a felony. He or she must also complete a notary training course approved by the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.
The benefits of becoming a notary in North Carolina
Notaries public are officers of the state whom the Governor appoints to serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of State. Notaries are commissioned for a four-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms a notary may serve.
Notaries are empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, witness and attest signatures, certify copies of certain documents, and protest notes and bills of exchange.
The following is a list of the benefits of becoming a North Carolina notary public:
-A commission as a notary public is an official credential which can be used as proof of your identity;
-A notary commission can be useful in employment applications and during job interviews;
-A North Carolina notary public Commission makes you a part of an elite group – less than 1% of North Carolinians are commissioned as notaries public;
-As a notary public, you can make money performing notarial acts; and
-A North Carolina notary public commission gives you prestige, professional satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment.
