NC Notary - North Carolina Notary Official Seal and Journal Questions and Answers

Question 1

A North Carolina notary's official seal is lost or stolen. According to G.S. 10B-36, what is the notary REQUIRED to do within 10 days of discovery?

Accepted Answer

File a report with a law enforcement agency and notify both the Secretary of State and the Register of Deeds.

Answer

Order a new seal and notify the Secretary of State only.

Answer

Notify the Secretary of State and the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Answer

Publish a notice in a local newspaper and inform the Register of Deeds.

Question 2

Which of the following is an OPTIONAL element that may be included in a North Carolina notary's official seal image?

Accepted Answer

The notary's commission expiration date

Answer

The words "Notary Public"

Answer

The county of commissioning

Answer

The notary's name as it appears on the commission

Question 3

A newly commissioned notary in Wake County is purchasing their first official seal. Which of the following seal designs would be statutorily non-compliant in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

A circular stamp with a diameter of 1.25 inches.

Answer

A rectangular stamp that is 0.75 inches high and 2.25 inches long.

Answer

A circular embosser with a diameter of 1.75 inches.

Answer

A rectangular stamp that is 1 inch high and 2.5 inches long.

Question 4

Regarding the maintenance of a notary journal for traditional (paper) notarizations, what is the legal requirement for notaries in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

A journal is not required by law, but is strongly recommended as a best practice.

Answer

A journal must be maintained for all real estate transactions.

Answer

A journal is mandatory and must be a permanently bound book with numbered pages.

Answer

A journal is only required if the notary performs more than 50 notarizations per year.

Question 5

A North Carolina notary resigns from their job. Their employer, who paid for the notary's commission and supplies, demands that the notary surrender their official seal and journal. According to notary law, how should the notary respond?

Accepted Answer

Provide copies of the journal entries to the employer before surrendering both items.

Answer

Surrender the seal and journal as they are company property.

Answer

Surrender the seal but keep the journal.

Answer

Refuse to surrender the seal and journal as they are the exclusive property of the notary.

Question 6

Which of the following actions constitutes an improper use of a notary's official seal in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

Allowing a trusted coworker to use the seal for a simple acknowledgment while the notary is on a lunch break.

Answer

Using an embosser in addition to an inked stamp on a notarial certificate.

Answer

Affixing the seal on the same page as the notarial certificate and signature.

Answer

Placing the seal impression near the notary's signature on a completed notarial certificate.