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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
North Carolina commissions notaries for a five-year term after a community-college course, examination, SOS application, and oath at the Register of Deeds. Chapter 10B authorizes electronic notarization and remote electronic notarization, but the Secretary of State’s eNotary Solution Providers page states that newly approved electronic notary solutions and remote electronic notary platforms were expected in January 2026 and that providers will not onboard additional eNotaries until systems meet the new standards. Recheck that page before you treat remote electronic notarization as open.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a North Carolina notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: Traditional Commission, Then Recheck eNotary / REN
Complete the traditional commission first. Electronic and remote electronic notary registration depend on SOS-licensed platforms. Confirm current provider status before you pay for a remote platform.
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Read the official notary and eNotary pages Open Become a Notary, Become an eNotary, eNotary Solution Providers, and Notary fees. |
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Complete the community-college notary course and file the $50 application Follow Become a Notary. |
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If you already hold a North Carolina commission, recheck the solution-providers page before remote electronic acts Use eNotary Solution Providers. Do not perform remote electronic notarization until a licensed platform is available and your eNotary registration is complete. |
Part 1: Traditional North Carolina Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired North Carolina notary public commission. Remote electronic notarization, when platforms are licensed, still requires eNotary registration.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Become a Notary and G.S. Chapter 10B. |
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Complete traditional notary education Complete a Secretary of State–educated instructor course (community college or listed college) and pass the examination, unless you are an NC State Bar member. Course tuition is paid to the college, not listed as a separate SOS class dollar amount on the fee schedule. |
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Obtain a surety bond Not listed on the official SOS notary fee schedule as a required surety bond. |
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Submit the traditional application File the initial application and pay $50 to the North Carolina Secretary of State. After three examination failures, 18 NCAC 07B .0201 requires a new course, new application, and another non-refundable $50 fee. |
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Take the oath at the Register of Deeds After SOS approval, you will be emailed notice to take the oath at the Register of Deeds in the county of commission. The oath fee is $10 payable to the Register of Deeds. The term is five years. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Not yet in effect as an operational remote electronic notarization (REN) platform process on the current eNotary Solution Providers page. Chapter 10B requires platform licensure by the Secretary. Keep this section so you can re-check the official page when newly approved platforms are posted. Historic in-person eNotary (signer and eNotary physically together) is a different process and is also affected by the same provider-compliance pause.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions Not yet in effect as a complete REN onboarding path. Recheck eNotary Solution Providers, Become an eNotary, and G.S. 10B-134. |
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Complete online notary education An eNotary course is listed on Become an eNotary (community college or listed college). Confirm whether the course is being offered for the new REN program before you enroll. |
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Start the online commission application eNotary registration is listed as $50 on Notary fees. Recheck whether the SOS is accepting new eNotary / REN registrations before you file. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Not yet in effect for new REN onboarding until a licensed platform is posted. |
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Upload your electronic seal Not yet in effect as a complete REN SOS seal-upload process on the current solution-providers page. |
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Pay and submit Not yet in effect as an operational REN commissioning process until {providers} lists approved platforms. The SOS fee schedule still prints $50 for eNotary registration—confirm whether new filings are being accepted. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Do not perform remote electronic notarization until the Secretary of State has licensed platforms and your eNotary registration is complete. The SOS still instructs notaries to check back while providers meet new standards.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
Amounts are from Notary fees. Confirm them there before you pay. College course tuition and any future platform fees are extra.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Traditional notary course | Paid to the community college or listed college (not listed as an SOS class dollar amount on the fee schedule) |
| eNotary / REN course | Paid to the college listed on Become an eNotary (confirm current offerings) |
| Traditional application (initial or reappointment) | $50 |
| eNotary registration | $50 (confirm whether new registrations are being accepted) |
| Oath of office | $10 payable to the North Carolina Register of Deeds |
| Surety bond | Not listed on the official SOS notary fee schedule as required |
Official North Carolina Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Become a notary | sosnc.gov/divisions/notary/become_a_notary |
| Become an eNotary | sosnc.gov/divisions/notary/become_an_enotary |
| eNotary solution providers | sosnc.gov/divisions/notary/e_notary_solution_providers |
| Notary Public Section | (919) 814-5400 | [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. Hold a North Carolina notary public commission first. Remote electronic notarization also requires eNotary registration and a Secretary-licensed platform. Recheck the solution-providers page before you apply.
Q: Does North Carolina approve a list of RON platforms?
A: The Secretary must license platforms. The current eNotary Solution Providers page does not list newly approved remote electronic notary platforms and still tells notaries to check back. Do not treat a third-party vendor list as SOS licensure.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Notary fees, Become an eNotary, and eNotary Solution Providers.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
