Notary Cost in North Carolina: 2026 Guide
How much does a notary cost in North Carolina in 2026? State law sets maximum fees based on the type of notarization. A North Carolina notary may charge up to $10 per notarized principal signature for a traditional acknowledgment, jurat, verification, or proof; up to $15 per electronically notarized principal signature; and up to $25 per notarized principal signature for remote notarization.
The final price can depend on the number of signers, the number of signatures requiring notarization, whether travel is requested, and whether the act is performed in person, electronically, or remotely.
North Carolina Notary Fees at a Glance
| Notarial service | 2026 maximum fee | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional acknowledgment, jurat, verification, or proof | Up to $10 | Per notarized principal signature |
| Oath or affirmation without a signature | Up to $10 | Per person, subject to the statutory exception for certain credible witnesses |
| Electronic acknowledgment or jurat | Up to $15 | Per electronically notarized principal signature |
| Electronic oath or affirmation without a signature | Up to $15 | Per person, subject to the statutory exception for certain credible witnesses |
| Remote notarization under North Carolina law | Up to $25 | Per notarized principal signature |
These limits come from North Carolina General Statutes $ 10B-31. A notary may charge less or waive a fee. Ask for the full price before the notarization begins.
What Does "Per Notarized Principal Signature" Mean?
The fee is not necessarily calculated by page or by document. It is based on each principal signature that the notary notarizes. If one signer has one signature notarized, one fee may apply. If two people each sign and both signatures require notarization, the allowed charge may apply to each signature.
Before requesting service, identify every signature line that requires a notarial certificate. Do not assume that a long document automatically costs more, or that every signature on the document requires notarization.
Can a North Carolina Notary Charge for Travel?
North Carolina law permits actual mileage at the federal business mileage rate when the principal agrees to the travel reimbursement in writing before the travel. Mobile notary arrangements may therefore cost more than the notarial act alone.
Ask for an itemized quote that separates the notarial fee from agreed travel reimbursement. Other services should also be explained clearly before you proceed.
In-Person, Electronic, and Remote Notarization Are Different
- Traditional in-person notarization: the signer and notary meet physically and use a paper document.
- Electronic notarization: the document and notarial certificate are electronic, but the process is not automatically the same as remote notarization.
- Remote notarization: the signer appears remotely using an authorized process and technology.
Because the legal category affects the statutory maximum, confirm which service you are buying. Also confirm that the organization receiving your document accepts the selected method and an electronically notarized document.
What Can Change the Total Price?
- The number of principal signatures requiring notarization
- The number of signers
- Whether the act is traditional, electronic, or remote
- Pre-agreed mileage for a mobile notary
- Optional document preparation, printing, scanning, shipping, or witness arrangements
A notary identifies the signer and performs the requested notarial act. The notary generally does not select legal forms or give legal advice. If you are unsure which certificate your document requires, ask the receiving organization or a qualified attorney.
Where Can You Find a Notary in North Carolina?
Common places to check include banks, credit unions, shipping stores, law offices, real estate offices, libraries, mobile notaries, and online notary services. Availability and pricing vary, so call ahead and ask whether a commissioned notary will be present.
What to Bring
- The complete document, with no missing pages
- Acceptable current identification
- Every signer who must personally appear
- Any required witnesses
- Instructions from the receiving organization
Do not sign ahead of time when the notarial act requires the notary to witness the signature. For an acknowledgment, the signature may sometimes already be present, but the signer must still make the required personal appearance and acknowledge it.
Online Alternative: Notary20
If your receiving organization accepts remote online notarization and an electronic document, Notary20 offers a convenient flat price of $20 per document for eligible documents. That price is Notary20's service offer; it is not the North Carolina statutory fee schedule.
You can compare broader online pricing in our Online Notary Cost Guide. Acceptance rules can vary, so confirm with the recipient before using any remote service.
How to Avoid Unexpected Charges
- Ask whether the quote is per signature, per signer, or per document
- Count the signatures that actually need notarization
- Confirm travel reimbursement in writing before a mobile visit
- Ask whether printing, scanning, witnesses, or shipping cost extra
- Confirm remote and electronic-document acceptance with the recipient
FAQ
What is the maximum in-person notary fee in North Carolina?
For acknowledgments, jurats, verifications, or proofs, the maximum is $10 per notarized principal signature.
How much can a North Carolina remote notary charge?
North Carolina law allows up to $25 per notarized principal signature for remote notarization performed under the state's remote-notarization provisions.
Can a notary charge less than the maximum?
Yes. The law sets maximum fees; it does not require every notary to charge the maximum.
Is the fee per document?
North Carolina's statutory language generally calculates these fees per notarized principal signature, not simply per document.
Is Notary20's $20 price the North Carolina state fee?
No. It is Notary20's flat service price per eligible document. The North Carolina statutory schedule applies to notarial acts performed under North Carolina law.
Related Notary Guides
- Online notary cost guide
- How to notarize documents online
- What does a notary do?
- How to prepare a PDF for notarization
Start Your Online Notarization
If your document is eligible and the receiving organization accepts remote online notarization, Notary20 offers a simple online option for a flat $20 per document.