• You must be at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated
• You must reside legally in the United States and be able to speak, read, and write the English language
• You must live in or work for a company in North Carolina
• You must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency
• You must have no felony convictions**
• You must have a current (at time of class) government issued photo ID with physical description and signature
• You must purchase and keep as a reference the most recent North Carolina Notary Public Manual
  • Author: North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State   ISBN: 978-1-56011-851-0  Edition: 2016 Page count: 165 
• It is recommended that you purchase from NC Department of Secretary of State Click Here
• You must successfully complete a notary public education course and pass the exam with at least a score of 80%

**Contact NC Secretary of State Notary Public Division at https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/notary/become_a_notary for more information or see the back of an initial appointment application.

Pass an online examination approved by the Secretary of State or a course of instruction, with a score of 80% or better if the applicant has never been disciplined by the Secretary.