Key Takeaways
- Every notarial act requires a notarial certificate
- Certificate must include signature, seal, and expiration date
- Certificate language must match the type of act performed
- Short-form statutory certificates are provided in Chapter 10B
- Notary must not alter the certificate after completion
Last updated: January 2026
Notarial Certificates
The notarial certificate is the official documentation that a notarial act has been performed. It is the portion of the notarized record completed by the notary.
Required Elements of All Notarial Certificates
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Notary's Signature | Exactly as shown on commission |
| Official Seal | Clear and legible impression |
| Commission Expiration Date | Clearly stated |
| Date of Notarization | When the act was performed |
| Venue | State and county where act was performed |
| Statutory Language | Appropriate for the type of act |
Certificate Must Match the Act
It is critical that the notarial certificate language matches the type of act actually performed:
| If the Act Is... | Certificate Should State... |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | "...personally appeared and acknowledged..." |
| Jurat (Oath) | "...sworn to and subscribed before me..." |
| Jurat (Affirmation) | "...affirmed and subscribed before me..." |
| Verification/Proof | "...appeared and testified regarding the signature..." |
Short-Form Certificates in NC Law
North Carolina General Statutes Part 6 (G.S. 10B-41 through 10B-43) provides standard short-form certificates:
Acknowledgment Certificate (G.S. 10B-41)
State of North Carolina
County of ________________
I, ________________, a Notary Public of ________________ County,
North Carolina, certify that ________________ personally appeared
before me this day and acknowledged the due execution of the
foregoing instrument.
Witness my hand and official seal, this ____ day of __________, 20___.
____________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ______________
Jurat Certificate (G.S. 10B-43)
State of North Carolina
County of ________________
Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me, this ____ day of
__________, 20___.
____________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ______________
Verification/Proof Certificate (G.S. 10B-42)
State of North Carolina
County of ________________
I, ________________, a Notary Public of ________________ County,
North Carolina, certify that ________________ personally appeared
before me this day and being duly sworn, testified that he/she
witnessed ________________ sign the foregoing instrument.
Witness my hand and official seal, this ____ day of __________, 20___.
____________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ______________
Completing the Certificate
Do's:
- Complete all blanks in the certificate
- Use the date the notarization was performed
- Sign exactly as your name appears on your commission
- Affix your seal clearly near your signature
- Use permanent ink
Don'ts:
- Never pre-sign or pre-seal blank certificates
- Never backdate or postdate certificates
- Never alter a completed certificate
- Never use correction fluid on certificates
- Never leave blanks unfilled
Venue (State and County)
| Venue Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| State | The state where notarization occurred |
| County | The county where notarization occurred |
| Not Commission County | Where the ACT occurred, not where commissioned |
Important: The venue indicates where the notarial act was performed, NOT where the notary is commissioned. An NC notary can notarize anywhere in NC.
Key Points for the Exam
- Required elements: Signature, seal, expiration date
- Match the act: Certificate language must match type of notarization
- Venue: Where act was performed, not commission county
- No alterations: Never change completed certificates
- Use statutory forms: Follow NC short-form certificates
Test Your Knowledge
What does the "venue" on a notarial certificate indicate?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
A notary discovers an error on a certificate after completing the notarization. What should the notary do?
A
B
C
D