Last updated: April 2, 2026. Based on North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 10B (G.S. 10B-31), House Bill 776 (2023), and 2025 legislative updates (HB 40, HB 388).
North Carolina Notary Fees at a Glance (2026)
North Carolina sets clear maximum fees that notaries may charge under G.S. 10B-31. Notaries may charge less than the maximum but may never charge more.
Traditional (Paper) Notarization
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10.00 per principal signature |
| Jurat | $10.00 per principal signature |
| Verification or Proof | $10.00 per principal signature |
| Oath/Affirmation (with signature) | $10.00 per principal signature |
| Oath/Affirmation (without signature) | $10.00 per person |
Electronic Notarization (In-Person)
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic Acknowledgment | $15.00 per signature |
| Electronic Jurat | $15.00 per signature |
| Electronic Oath/Affirmation (without signature) | $15.00 per person |
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Remote Notarization | $25.00 per principal signature |
Fee Calculation Examples
Understanding per-signature pricing is essential for both notaries and the public:
Example 1: Single Signature
One person signs one acknowledgment = $10.00 maximum
Example 2: Multiple Signers
Three people each sign the same acknowledgment document = $30.00 maximum ($10 x 3 signatures)
Example 3: Multiple Documents
One person signs four separate acknowledgment documents = $40.00 maximum ($10 x 4 signatures)
Example 4: Electronic Notarization
Two people sign a document electronically = $30.00 maximum ($15 x 2 signatures)
Example 5: Remote Notarization
One person signs a document via RON = $25.00 maximum
Travel Fees: Now Allowed in North Carolina
House Bill 776 (2023) introduced a major change: North Carolina notaries can now charge travel fees. The rules are specific:
| Travel Fee Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Prior agreement | Must be in writing before travel begins |
| Rate | Federal business mileage rate ($0.70/mile in 2026) |
| Calculation | One-way distance only |
Important: The travel fee is separate from the notarial fee. A notary can charge both the $10 notarial fee AND mileage, as long as the travel agreement is signed before the trip.
Acts That Must Be Done for FREE
North Carolina law requires notaries to perform certain acts without charge:
| Act | Reason |
|---|---|
| Notarizing absentee ballots | Public service — required by law |
| Administering oaths of office | Public service |
| Oath to credible witness vouching for identity | Part of the identification process |
A notary who charges for these acts violates G.S. 10B-31.
What Changed with House Bill 776 (2023)
NC House Bill 776 made several significant changes to notary fees and practices:
- Raised maximum traditional fees from $5 to $10 per signature
- Raised electronic notarization fees to $15
- Established RON fees at $25 per signature
- Authorized travel fees for the first time (at federal mileage rate)
- Created permanent remote notarization framework with platform licensing
Platform providers for RON must be licensed with the NC Secretary of State at $5,000 per year, and must remit a $5 surcharge per remote notarial act to the state.
2025 Legislative Updates (HB 40 and HB 388)
Two new bills affect North Carolina notaries in 2025-2026:
HB 40 — Electronic Signature on Applications (Effective June 26, 2025)
- Removes the requirement that initial notary applications be signed "with pen and ink"
- Allows the Secretary of State to establish an electronic signature submission process
- Makes the application process more accessible for online filing
HB 388 — Emergency Video Notarization Extension
- Extends the temporary authorization for emergency video notarizations
- The extension sunsets on July 1, 2026, or when the Secretary of State issues the first RON platform license — whichever comes first
- Once a platform is licensed under the permanent HB 776 framework, emergency video notarizations transition to the permanent RON system
What this means for notaries: If you have been using emergency video notarization, you should monitor the Secretary of State's REN A (Remote Electronic Notarization) platform licensing progress. Once platforms are licensed, the permanent fee structure ($25 remote, $15 electronic) fully applies.
Penalties for Overcharging
North Carolina takes fee violations seriously:
- Overcharging is a violation of the Notary Public Act (Chapter 10B)
- The Secretary of State can suspend or revoke a notary commission
- The notary may face civil liability for recovery of overcharged fees
- A pattern of violations can result in permanent denial of commission renewal
Under G.S. 10B-30, a notary shall not discriminatorily condition fees on any attribute of the principal.
How NC Fees Compare Nationally
North Carolina's $10 fee is in the middle range nationally:
| State | Traditional Fee | Electronic Fee | RON Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $10.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| New York | $2.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Florida | $10.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 |
| Texas | $10.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 |
| California | $15.00 | $15.00 | N/A |
| Georgia | $2.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Virginia | $10.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 |
| Tennessee | No set fee | N/A | $25.00 |
North Carolina's three-tier fee structure (traditional $10, electronic $15, RON $25) is becoming the standard model nationally.
NC Notary Commission Costs
Beyond notarial act fees, becoming a notary in North Carolina has these costs:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $50.00 |
| Commission renewal | $50.00 |
| Electronic notary registration | Additional fee (varies) |
| RON platform licensing | $5,000/year (platform providers, not individual notaries) |
| Notary seal/stamp | $15-$30 (vendor cost) |
| Notary journal | $10-$25 (vendor cost) |
NC notary commissions last 5 years and must be renewed before expiration.
NC Notary Exam and Fee Questions
The North Carolina notary exam tests fee knowledge in several areas:
- Maximum fee amounts for traditional ($10), electronic ($15), and remote ($25) notarizations
- Per-signature calculation — how to calculate fees for multiple signers or documents
- Free acts — which notarizations cannot be charged for
- Travel fee rules — written agreement and federal mileage rate
- Overcharging consequences — potential commission suspension or revocation
NC Notary Fee Rules for Employers
Employers often pay for their employees' notary commissions. Key rules:
- An employer may reimburse or pay the notary's application fee
- The notary's commission belongs to the notary, not the employer
- The maximum fee caps still apply — even if the employer sets pricing
- An employer-merchant who is also the principal cannot charge themselves a notary fee on the transaction
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