Notary Public Permit Requirements in Charlotte, NC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. North Carolina Notary Commission

   Apply through the NC Secretary of State for a notary commission, which runs for a term of five years (G.S. 10B-9). Within the three months before applying you must complete an approved classroom course of not less than six hours and pass a written exam with at least 80% (G.S. 10B-8) — licensed NC State Bar members are exempt. You must be at least 18, reside or have a regular place of work or business in North Carolina, reside legally in the U.S., read/write/speak English, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and purchase the Secretary's current notary manual (G.S. 10B-5). The commission is not effective until you take the oath of office before the register of deeds.

   Official government source

   $50 initial application fee to the NC Secretary of State, plus a $10 Oath of Office fee payable to the Register of Deeds, plus the education course fee (set by the community college or provider, not by the state) and the cost of the required notary manual. Reappointment is also $50.·Not published by the Secretary of State — confirm current processing time with the Notary Public Section (919-814-5400).

   $50 initial application fee to the NC Secretary of State, plus a $10 Oath of Office fee payable to the Register of Deeds, plus the education course fee (set by the community college or provider, not by the state) and the cost of the required notary manual. Reappointment is also $50.

   Not published by the Secretary of State — confirm current processing time with the Notary Public Section (919-814-5400).

2. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Recommended)

   While not required in North Carolina, E&O insurance protects notaries from financial losses due to unintentional mistakes. Coverage of $25,000–$100,000 typically costs $40–$80/year. The National Notary Association offers bundled packages.

   $40–$80/year·Immediate

   $40–$80/year

   Immediate

1. Charlotte Business License (if operating a notary business)

   Charlotte does not have a general city business license or business privilege license. North Carolina repealed cities' and counties' authority to levy local privilege/business license taxes effective July 1, 2015 (Session Law 2014-3, s. 12.3(a)-(b), repealing G.S. 160A-211 and G.S. 153A-152). Notary businesses operating in Charlotte do not need to obtain a city business license. If forming an LLC or corporation, register with the NC Secretary of State; confirm any industry-specific state licensing separately.

   Official government source

   N/A — no general business license exists in Charlotte·N/A

   N/A — no general business license exists in Charlotte

   N/A

Official Sources

• North Carolina — Notary Public Requirements
• North Carolina Secretary of State

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