NC Notary Qualifications and Commission 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A North Carolina notary commission expires how many years after it is issued?
- 2 years
- 4 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
A notary commission in North Carolina is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
Question 2: Which state agency is responsible for commissioning notaries in North Carolina?
- The North Carolina Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The North Carolina Department of Justice
- The North Carolina Superior Court
- The North Carolina Governor's Office
Correct answer: The North Carolina Secretary of State
The North Carolina Secretary of State's office administers and issues notary commissions.
Question 3: A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for a notary commission in North Carolina if:
- They have been out of prison for at least 1 year
- Their rights have been restored (Correct answer)
- They submit a letter of recommendation from a judge
- Felons are permanently barred from becoming notaries
Correct answer: Their rights have been restored
A felony conviction is a disqualifier unless the applicant's civil rights have been restored.
Question 4: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary in North Carolina?
- 16 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- 25 years old
Correct answer: 18 years old
An applicant must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for a notary commission in North Carolina.
Question 5: If a notary moves to a new county within North Carolina, what must they do?
- Apply for a new commission immediately
- Notify the Secretary of State of the address change within 45 days (Correct answer)
- Stop performing notarial acts until re-registered
- Obtain a new seal reflecting the new county
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State of the address change within 45 days
Notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any address change within 45 days of moving.
Question 6: Which of the following is a required qualification for a North Carolina notary applicant?
- Must be a licensed attorney
- Must be a resident or have a place of employment or practice in North Carolina (Correct answer)
- Must have a college degree
- Must have prior experience as a witness to legal documents
Correct answer: Must be a resident or have a place of employment or practice in North Carolina
Applicants must reside in NC or have a place of employment or practice within the state.
Question 7: A notary applicant in North Carolina who submits a false application may face:
- A $50 fine only
- Denial or revocation of the commission and possible criminal charges (Correct answer)
- Mandatory retraining before reapplying
- A temporary suspension of 30 days
Correct answer: Denial or revocation of the commission and possible criminal charges
Submitting false information on a notary application can result in denial, revocation, and criminal prosecution.
A North Carolina notary commission expires how many years after it is issued?