A notary public is a person who is appointed or commissioned by a state to act as an impartial witness to the signing of important legal documents. Notary public appointments are usually handled by a state’s Secretary of State’s office and require a potential notary to meet eligibility requirements, take a notary training course, and pass a state notary exam.

Many different types of legal documents may need to be notarized—such as an affidavit, contract, will, trust, power of attorney, power of attorney for health care, divorce papers, deed, mortgage, or deed of trust.

In North Carolina, a notary public is an individual commissioned by the North Carolina Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. To become a notary in NC, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria such as being at least 18 years old, residing legally in the U.S., and being able to read and write English. They must also complete a state-approved notary education course, pass a written examination, and have no felony convictions. The types of documents that may require notarization in North Carolina include affidavits, contracts, wills, trusts, powers of attorney (including those for health care), divorce papers, deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust. The notary's role is to verify the identity of the signers, ensure they are signing knowingly and willingly, and to witness the signing process. After witnessing a signing, the notary public will affix their official seal or stamp to the document, thereby notarizing it.