NC Notary Laws and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the duration of a North Carolina notary public commission?
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 5 years
Under G.S. 10B-10, a NC notary commission is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Question 2: A first-time applicant for a NC notary commission must complete how many hours of approved education before applying?
- 3 hours
- 6 hours (Correct answer)
- 8 hours
- 12 hours
Correct answer: 6 hours
G.S. 10B-5 requires new applicants to complete a six-hour approved notary education course before submitting their application.
Question 3: Under North Carolina law, the maximum fee a notary may charge for a single paper-based notarial act is:
- $5
- $10 (Correct answer)
- $15
- $25
Correct answer: $10
G.S. 10B-31 sets the maximum fee for a paper notarial act at ten dollars per act.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a statutory qualification for obtaining a NC notary commission?
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be able to read and write English
- Hold at least a two-year college degree (Correct answer)
- Be a NC resident or regularly employed in NC
Correct answer: Hold at least a two-year college degree
G.S. 10B-5 does not require any college degree; the educational qualification is only completing the approved notary course.
Question 5: Who has the authority to issue a notary commission in North Carolina?
- The Governor
- The Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The Superior Court Judge
- The County Register of Deeds
Correct answer: The Secretary of State
The NC Secretary of State issues notary commissions; the Register of Deeds administers the oath and forwards documentation.
Question 6: A person who lives in Virginia but is regularly employed at a company in North Carolina may:
- Never apply for a NC notary commission
- Apply for a NC notary commission based on their regular place of work (Correct answer)
- Only apply after establishing NC residency for at least six months
- Apply only if they also hold a Virginia notary commission
Correct answer: Apply for a NC notary commission based on their regular place of work
G.S. 10B-5 allows a non-resident to obtain a NC commission if they have a regular place of employment or practice in NC.
Question 7: When renewing a North Carolina notary commission, an applicant must complete how many hours of approved education?
- 0 hours — no education required for renewal
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 6 hours
- 9 hours
Correct answer: 3 hours
Renewal applicants must complete a three-hour approved notary education course, half the requirement for first-time applicants.
NC Notary Laws and Regulations 2
What is the duration of a North Carolina notary public commission?