New Notary Public Laws Effective now and In July 1, 2023!

REN is signed to LAW and new guidelines are effective immediately in NC!

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and her team joined Governor Roy Cooper on 7/8/2022 at the Executive Mansion as he signed Remote Electronic Notarization (REN) into law.  Emergency Video Notarizations will resume, effective immediately, as a stop-gap measure to allow video notarizations while permanent REN procedures are being put in place. EVN expires on June 30, 2023, at 12:01 a.m.

“Everyone in North Carolina needs to be able to sign contracts safely and conveniently, without sacrificing the certainty of knowing that people signing important documents like wills and loans are exactly who they say they are. Emergency Video Notarizations were crucial tools during the height of the COVID pandemic. The next step, establishing a permanent RON solution that matches intuitive technology with transactional security, is central to maintaining a vibrant and sustainable e-commerce culture across the state that’s accessible for everyone,” said Secretary Elaine Marshall.

Here is what customers need to know now: 

1. Notary Public can resume Emergency Video Notarizations under the same procedure that was established during the pandemic. This is a necessary stop-gap solution while the REN program is established

2. The fees notary public charge increased.  For acknowledgments, jurats, verifications, or proofs the new fee will be $10 per principal signature.  For oaths or affirmations without a signature, the fee will be $10 per person, except for the identity of a principal or subscribing witness. The fee for electronic notarization under G.S. 10B-188 will be $15 (e-Notarizations). 

The new Remote Electronic Notarizations fee will be $25 per principal signature when REN becomes effective in July 1, 2023.  

3. In effect now, for any notarial act under 10B, the actual mileage at the federal mileage rate will be charged (The state of NC uses a federal mileage rate of 65.5 cents per mile.)