NC NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NC NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What must a North Carolina notary do if they change their legal name during their commission term? → Notify the Secretary of State and obtain a new commission in the new name
2. What does the term 'acknowledgment' mean in the context of notarial acts? → The signer declares before the notary that they signed the document voluntarily
3. Which of the following actions constitutes misconduct for a North Carolina notary? → Notarizing a document for a person who is not physically present
4. What is the required education for NC notaries seeking to RENEW their commission (as opposed to first-time applicants)? → A 3-hour refresher course approved by the Secretary of State
5. Under NCGS Chapter 10B, a notarial certificate completed in a language other than English is: → Generally not acceptable for NC notarial acts — the certificate should be in English
6. Which of the following actions by a North Carolina notary constitutes the unauthorized practice of law? → Advising a signer on the legal implications of the document they are signing.
7. A prospective notary public in North Carolina must meet several qualifications. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for an initial commission? → Satisfactorily complete a state-approved six-hour course.
8. Where does one typically take the oath of office as a notary public in North Carolina? → Register of Deeds office
9. A prospective NC notary applicant has a conviction for a misdemeanor involving dishonesty from 8 years ago. Under NCGS Chapter 10B, this applicant: → May be disqualified at the NC SOS's discretion based on the nature of the offense
10. A North Carolina notary may perform notarial acts for which of the following relationships without violating the conflict of interest rules? → A relative's document where the notary has no financial interest
11. Which of the following is considered 'satisfactory evidence' of a signer's identity for a notarization in North Carolina? → A current U.S. Passport.
12. Under the NC Notary Public Act, a notary who willfully makes a false notarial certificate may face: → A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction
13. Which scenario best describes 'notarizing outside the scope of authority' in North Carolina? → A notary who performs a jurat when an acknowledgment was requested
14. A client presents a North Carolina notary with their original birth certificate and asks for a certified copy. What should the notary do? → Decline, because NC notaries are prohibited from certifying copies of vital records
15. Under NCGS Chapter 10B, when performing an oath for a deposition, the notary must ensure: → The deponent swears or affirms to tell the truth before giving testimony
16. Under NC law, which type of notary is REQUIRED to maintain a journal of notarial acts? → Only electronic notaries are required to maintain a journal under NCGS Chapter 10B
17. A North Carolina notary commission expires how many years after it is issued? → 5 years
18. A North Carolina notary is asked to perform a notarization on a document written entirely in Spanish. Under NC law, the notary should: → Perform the notarial act if the signer understands the document
19. Under NCGS Chapter 10B, the NC SOS may take which disciplinary action against a notary who commits a violation? → Suspension, revocation of commission, or reprimand
20. What happens to a North Carolina notary commission if the notary is convicted of a felony after being commissioned? → The commission is immediately suspended or revoked
21. A NC notary is served with a court subpoena requiring testimony about a notarization they performed two years ago. The notary must: → Comply with the subpoena and provide testimony as required by the court
22. Under NC General Statutes Chapter 10B, which of the following is NOT a notarial act a North Carolina notary may perform? → Certifying a copy of a vital record
23. Under NC law, may a notary notarize a document in which the notary is named as a party or has a direct financial interest? → No, it is prohibited regardless of disclosure
24. What ink color is recommended for North Carolina notary seal stamps to ensure legibility on photocopies? → Black or dark blue ink
25. Which of the following is NOT a statutory qualification for obtaining a NC notary commission? → Hold at least a two-year college degree
26. The application fee for a North Carolina notary commission is paid to: → The North Carolina Secretary of State
27. A notary who performs a RON must ensure the identity proofing process includes credential analysis. This process involves: → Automated analysis of a government-issued ID to verify its authenticity
28. A NC notary legally changes their name after marriage. Within how many days must they notify the Secretary of State of the name change? → 45 days
29. A person who has been convicted of a felony applies for an NC notary commission. What is the likely outcome? → The application may be denied based on the felony conviction
30. Which of the following is a key requirement for a North Carolina notary when identifying a principal signer? → The identification must be based on personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence.