Journal Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina does not require a journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. NC General Statute Chapter 10B governs North Carolina notaries. However, the North Carolina Secretary of State's office strongly recommends that all notaries maintain a journal. For RON, North Carolina passed the Remote Electronic Notarization Act (NC Gen. Stat. §§10B-100 et seq.), which requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording for each RON session, both retained for a minimum of 5 years. North Carolina's 5-year commission term is slightly longer than most states' 4-year terms.
North Carolina Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | North Carolina Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | secretary.state.nc.us |
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Bond required | No bond required |
| Exam/training | 6-hour training course required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina does not have a separate state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Most signing services and title companies operating in North Carolina require NNA certification, a background check, and E&O insurance as vendor requirements regardless of state law.
Standard government-issued photo identification is accepted: state driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, and permanent resident card. Always verify current North Carolina statutes for state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
Yes, absolutely. A journal provides contemporaneous documentation of every notarial act. In the event of a fraud allegation or dispute, your journal is your primary defense. Professional signing agents in North Carolina maintain journals as standard practice regardless of legal mandate.