North Carolina notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in North Carolina.

1. What is the minimum age to be commissioned as a North Carolina notary?

   1. 21
   2. 16 with a parent's consent
   3. 18, or legally emancipated
   4. 19
   Show the answer

   C. 18, or legally emancipated

   G.S. 10B-5(b)(1): at least 18, or legally emancipated under Article 35 of Chapter 7B.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-5 (ncleg.gov)

2. Which residence requirement must an applicant meet?

   1. Own real property in North Carolina
   2. Reside, or have a regular place of work or business, in North Carolina
   3. Have lived in North Carolina for at least 2 years
   4. Be registered to vote in North Carolina
   Show the answer

   B. Reside, or have a regular place of work or business, in North Carolina

   G.S. 10B-5(b)(2).

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-5 (ncleg.gov)

3. How long is a North Carolina notary commission?

   1. 4 years
   2. 2 years
   3. 5 years
   4. 10 years
   Show the answer

   C. 5 years

   G.S. 10B-9.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-9 (ncleg.gov)

4. Where may a North Carolina notary perform notarial acts?

   1. Anywhere in North Carolina
   2. Only in the county of commissioning
   3. Only in counties next to the home county
   4. Anywhere in the United States
   Show the answer

   A. Anywhere in North Carolina

   G.S. 10B-9: the commission authorizes acts anywhere in the State.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-9 (ncleg.gov)

5. Which is NOT a notarial act a North Carolina notary is empowered to perform under G.S. 10B-3?

   1. Taking an acknowledgment
   2. Taking a verification or proof
   3. Administering an oath or affirmation
   4. Certifying a copy of a document
   Show the answer

   D. Certifying a copy of a document

   G.S. 10B-3 defines a notarial act as an acknowledgment, a verification or proof, or an oath or affirmation.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-3 (ncleg.gov)

6. What separates an affirmation from an oath?

   1. An affirmation is only for corporations
   2. An affirmation is not under penalty of perjury
   3. An affirmation needs a witness
   4. An affirmation is a vow on personal honor, without invoking a deity or using the word 'swear'
   Show the answer

   D. An affirmation is a vow on personal honor, without invoking a deity or using the word 'swear'

   G.S. 10B-3: the two are legally equivalent; only the form differs.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-3 (ncleg.gov)

7. Which document is satisfactory evidence of identity?

   1. An expired passport
   2. A credit card with a signature
   3. A utility bill
   4. A current government-issued document with the person's photo and either a signature or physical description
   Show the answer

   D. A current government-issued document with the person's photo and either a signature or physical description

   G.S. 10B-3: issued by a federal, state, or federal- or state-recognized tribal government agency.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-3 (ncleg.gov)

8. How many credible witnesses can establish a principal's identity?

   1. None; ID is always required
   2. Three credible witnesses
   3. Two credible witnesses with ID
   4. One credible witness who personally knows the person
   Show the answer

   D. One credible witness who personally knows the person

   G.S. 10B-3 definition of satisfactory evidence.

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-3 (ncleg.gov)

9. A notary is the grantee on a deed. May the notary take the grantor's acknowledgment?

   1. Yes, if no fee is charged
   2. No, the notary is a party to the record
   3. Yes, if the deed is recorded later
   4. Yes, with a credible witness
   Show the answer

   B. No, the notary is a party to the record

   G.S. 10B-20(c)(5).

   Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-20 (ncleg.gov)

10. A notary named only as trustee in a deed of trust (and not a party in any other capacity) may:

    1. Never notarize it
    2. Notarize it only with the Secretary's approval
    3. Notarize it only electronically
    4. Notarize the deed of trust
    Show the answer

    D. Notarize the deed of trust

    G.S. 10B-20(c)(5)a lists this exception.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-20 (ncleg.gov)

11. Which item must a sufficient acknowledgment certificate include if it does not follow the statutory form?

    1. The principal's ID number
    2. The principal's name
    3. The principal's home address
    4. The notary's home address
    Show the answer

    B. The principal's name

    G.S. 10B-40(b) lists state and county, principal's name, appearance and acknowledgment, date, signature and seal, and expiration date.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-40 (ncleg.gov)

12. By making a certificate for an acknowledgment or oath, the notary also certifies that the principal:

    1. Did not appear incompetent, involuntary, or under duress or undue influence
    2. Is a North Carolina resident
    3. Has consulted an attorney
    4. Read the whole record
    Show the answer

    A. Did not appear incompetent, involuntary, or under duress or undue influence

    G.S. 10B-40.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-40 (ncleg.gov)

13. How must the notary's official signature be made?

    1. With a facsimile stamp
    2. With initials only
    3. By hand, in ink
    4. With any electronic signature
    Show the answer

    C. By hand, in ink

    G.S. 10B-35.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-35 (ncleg.gov)

14. When may the notary sign and seal the certificate?

    1. Only after the notarial act is performed
    2. Before the principal arrives
    3. Any time that day
    4. Only after recording
    Show the answer

    A. Only after the notarial act is performed

    G.S. 10B-35 and 10B-36.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-35 (ncleg.gov)

15. What is the maximum fee for an acknowledgment, jurat, verification or proof?

    1. $25 per signer
    2. $10 per notarized principal signature
    3. $5 per document
    4. $15 per page
    Show the answer

    B. $10 per notarized principal signature

    G.S. 10B-31(1).

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-31 (ncleg.gov)

16. What is the maximum fee for an oath or affirmation without a signature?

    1. $5 per person
    2. $10 per person
    3. $2 per person
    4. $15 per person
    Show the answer

    B. $10 per person

    G.S. 10B-31(2).

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-31 (ncleg.gov)

17. Within how many days must a notary notify the Secretary of a change of address or phone number?

    1. 10 days
    2. 90 days
    3. 45 days
    4. 30 days
    Show the answer

    C. 45 days

    G.S. 10B-50.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-50 (ncleg.gov)

18. A non-attorney notary advertises in a language other than English. The ad must include the notice that begins:

    1. "Notario publico"
    2. "I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA"
    3. "State approved"
    4. "Licensed legal consultant"
    Show the answer

    B. "I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA"

    G.S. 10B-20(i).

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-20 (ncleg.gov)

19. To register as an electronic notary, a notary must complete a course of at least:

    1. 4 hours
    2. 2 hours
    3. 8 hours
    4. 6 hours
    Show the answer

    A. 4 hours

    G.S. 10B-107, in addition to Article 1 education.

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-107 (ncleg.gov)

20. Holding oneself out as a notary without a commission is a:

    1. Class I felony
    2. Civil infraction
    3. Class 1 misdemeanor
    4. Class G felony
    Show the answer

    C. Class 1 misdemeanor

    G.S. 10B-60(b)(1).

    Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10B-60 (ncleg.gov)

Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of North Carolina, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.