NC Notary Qualifications and Commission 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After completing the required notary education course, how long does an applicant have to submit their notary application to the Secretary of State?
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 3 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3 years
Applicants have 3 years from the date of course completion to submit their notary application.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the notary education requirement for NEW applicants in North Carolina?
- A 3-hour online self-study course
- A 6-hour approved notary education course (Correct answer)
- No education is required for first-time applicants
- A 10-hour in-person law school course
Correct answer: A 6-hour approved notary education course
New applicants must complete a 6-hour notary education course from an approved provider.
Question 3: A notary whose commission has expired wishes to renew. What must this notary do?
- Simply pay the renewal fee online
- Retake the full 6-hour education course and reapply as a new applicant (Correct answer)
- Submit a renewal application with no additional training required
- Appear before a Superior Court judge
Correct answer: Retake the full 6-hour education course and reapply as a new applicant
Expired commissions cannot be renewed; the notary must complete education and reapply as a new applicant.
Question 4: What must a newly commissioned North Carolina notary do before performing any notarial acts?
- Purchase a notary journal
- Take an oath of office before an official authorized to administer oaths (Correct answer)
- Register with their county clerk
- Purchase errors and omissions insurance
Correct answer: Take an oath of office before an official authorized to administer oaths
Before acting as a notary, the applicant must take the oath of office before an authorized official.
Question 5: A North Carolina notary who is commissioned but later becomes a non-resident AND loses their place of employment in NC must:
- Notify the Secretary of State and resign the commission (Correct answer)
- Continue acting as a notary until the commission expires
- Apply for an interstate notary waiver
- Transfer the commission to their new state
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and resign the commission
A notary who no longer meets residency or employment qualifications must notify the Secretary of State and cease notarial acts.
Question 6: The application fee for a North Carolina notary commission is paid to:
- The county register of deeds
- The North Carolina Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The notary education course provider
- The local Superior Court clerk
Correct answer: The North Carolina Secretary of State
The application fee is submitted directly to the North Carolina Secretary of State along with the completed application.
Question 7: A current NC notary wants to renew their commission BEFORE it expires. What is the approved approach?
- File a renewal form and pay a reduced fee at any time
- Complete a 3-hour refresher course and submit a renewal application within 10 weeks of expiration
- No action is needed; commissions auto-renew if no complaints have been filed
- Reapply as a new applicant by completing the full 6-hour education course (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Reapply as a new applicant by completing the full 6-hour education course
North Carolina does not have a traditional renewal process; all applicants—even current notaries—must complete the 6-hour course and reapply.
NC Notary Qualifications and Commission 5
After completing the required notary education course, how long does an applicant have to submit their notary application to the Secretary of State?