Free North Carolina Notary Acknowledgment Template

A North Carolina notary acknowledgment is a notarial certificate (G.S. 10B-3). It’s the part of a notarized record that the notary completes, signs, and seals, stating the facts attested. Chapter 10B of the General Statutes, the Notary Public Act, governs it.

The North Carolina Secretary of State commissions notaries, who are public officers of the state.

Identification

G.S. 10B-3 defines satisfactory evidence as at least one current document from a federal, state, or federal or state-recognized tribal government agency. It must show your photo and either your signature or a physical description. Alternatively, one credible witness who personally knows you can vouch for you under oath or affirmation.

Seal

By definition, a notarial certificate bears the notary’s signature and seal. The seal’s image contains the notary’s name, the words “notary public,” and the other details G.S. 10B-37 requires.

Fees

Under G.S. 10B-31, a notary may charge up to $10 per notarized principal signature for an acknowledgment. Electronic acknowledgments cost up to $15 per signature, and remote notarization up to $25. However, a notary may charge mileage at the federal business rate only if you agree in writing before the travel. Fees can change, so confirm them first.

Fee Notice

Also, a notary who charges must display an English-language fee schedule at their place of business, or give one to each signer elsewhere. In addition, no part of the schedule can appear in type smaller than 10-point (G.S. 10B-32).

Often, yes, through a remote electronic notary. However, Session Law 2022-54 bars remote electronic notarization for certain documents, including:

• A self-proved will or a codicil
• A revocable or irrevocable trust, or an amendment to one, apart from a certification of trust
• A death beneficiary form that requires an acknowledgment
• A document relinquishing parental rights
• Mail-in absentee ballots

The act provides exceptions when the remotely located signer meets certain descriptions, so the list isn’t absolute. Still, if your document is on it, plan to sign in person.

Most appointments run like this.

1. Add the G.S. 10B-41 certificate to your document, or use one already printed there.
2. Fill in the county and each principal’s name.
3. Bring a current photo ID from a federal, state, or tribal government agency.
4. Appear before the notary and acknowledge that you signed.
5. The notary dates and signs the certificate, prints their name, and applies the seal.
6. Pay the fee, which can’t exceed $10 per signature for an in-person acknowledgment.

G.S. 10B-41 gives a form for signers acting in their own right or in a representative or fiduciary capacity. Its core sentence is short: “I certify that the following person(s) personally appeared before me this day, each acknowledging to me that he or she signed the foregoing document: name(s) of principal(s).”

A North Carolina notary acknowledgment in that form includes:

• The county, followed by “North Carolina”
• The certifying sentence with each principal’s name
• The date
• The official signature of the notary
• The notary’s printed or typed name and “Notary Public”
• The official seal and “My commission expires” with the date

The printed name can be left off if the notary’s name is legible elsewhere in the certificate or on the seal. Besides, you can use other forms, since the statute says this one doesn’t preclude them. Create your North Carolina notary acknowledgment with Document Genius so the wording is ready.