Remote Notarization in North Carolina: Complete Guide for Probate Documents

You’re managing an estate from 400 miles away. The will needs notarization. A family member is notary but lives in a different state. The bank’s affidavit requires notarization, and you’re too busy to travel to a notary office.

For decades, these situations meant you had to drive somewhere, find a notary, take time off work, and pay travel costs just to get a document stamped.

Not anymore. North Carolina legalized remote notarization five years ago. Today, you can notarize documents via video from your home. A notary on screen watches you sign electronically. They seal the document with a digital stamp. You get a notarized PDF within minutes.

It’s legal. It’s legitimate. Courts and financial institutions accept it. And it’s often faster and cheaper than finding an in-person notary.

This guide explains how remote notarization works in North Carolina, which documents can be notarized remotely, and the exact steps to get documents notarized this week.

North Carolina Remote Notarization Law

North Carolina legalized remote notarization on January 1, 2021, through Senate Bill 555, which amended NCGS 10B-3.1. Five years of adoption and case law have established that remote notarization is fully valid and trustworthy.

What remote notarization means under NC law: A licensed notary can perform notarization electronically using real-time audio-visual technology (like Zoom or specialized notarization platforms). The notary watches the signer sign electronically through video conferencing. The notary then applies an electronic seal (a digital image embedded in the PDF). The electronic seal has the same legal validity as an ink seal under NCGS 10B-3.1.

This is not some gray-area workaround. It’s explicitly legal under North Carolina statute. Courts recognize it. Banks accept it. The IRS accepts it.

Why NC legalized it: The law followed the federal UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) and ESIGN Act model. Most states have adopted similar laws. By 2021, when NC legalized remote notarization, 35+ states already had it. NC was actually a bit late to the party, but it’s been fully legal now for five years.

Original documents are not required: This is a big difference from paper notarization. With paper notarization, you print the document, sign it by hand, and bring the original to the notary’s office. With remote notarization, the notary does not need the original document. You sign electronically during the video call. The notary seals the electronic version directly. Everything stays digital.

This means you don’t have to print, sign, scan, and then hunt down a notary. The entire process is digital from start to finish.

Compliant platforms handle NC requirements automatically. Notarization services like Notarize.com, Notarion, eNotary, OnlineNotary.com, and others are explicitly NC-compliant. They have identity verification built in, they record the transaction, they embed security features in the digital seal. Using a compliant platform ensures you meet all NC requirements without worrying about the technical details.

Not all platforms are NC-compliant. Some services used in other states don’t meet NC requirements. Always confirm the service is “NC-compliant” before booking.

Authentication requirements are strict: The notary must verify your identity using two forms of government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID) or biometric methods (facial recognition). The notary watches you show both IDs to the camera and takes screenshots or records the interaction. This two-factor authentication is actually more thorough than some in-person notarization.

Which Probate Documents Can Be Remotely Notarized

Not every document can be notarized remotely. NC law permits remote notarization for most documents, but a few have special rules.

Wills can be notarized remotely, with an important caveat. The will itself must be signed by the testator (the person making the will) in the presence of three witnesses at the same time. Those three witnesses must be in the same room (NCGS 31-3.3). Remote notarization does NOT replace the witness requirement.

But here’s what you can do: (1) The testator signs the will with all three witnesses present in person. (2) Later, after the will is already signed and witnessed, you use remote notarization to notarize it. The notary verifies the testator’s identity again and seals the already-signed document. Remote notarization is step 2 (notarizing after witnesses), not step 1 (replacing witnesses).

So wills can be remotely notarized, but the witness requirement doesn’t go away.

Affidavits can be remotely notarized (these are very common in probate). Affidavits of value, affidavits of heirship, affidavits of asset location, affidavits of death, etc. All notarizable remotely. Banks often require an affidavit signed by the executor attesting to asset location or value. Remote notarization works perfectly for these.

Powers of attorney can be remotely notarized. Health care powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney, etc. All approved for remote notarization in NC.

Many AOC forms allow remote notarization, but verify first. Some versions of AOC-E-201, AOC-E-100, AOC-E-202 allow remote notarization; some county versions prefer in-person. Always check the form instructions or call the clerk before investing time in remote notarization. A quick phone call (5 minutes) prevents wasting 30 minutes scheduling a remote notary and then finding out the clerk won’t accept it.

General rule: probate documents permitted for remote notarization unless statute says otherwise. When in doubt, ask the clerk before scheduling. Courts are generally accepting of remote notarization for probate documents, but it’s better to confirm than assume.

Step-by-Step: Getting Documents Remotely Notarized

The entire process takes 15-30 minutes from scheduling to receiving your notarized PDF.

Step 1: Choose a remote notarization service. Popular options include Notarize.com (large, established, 4.8-star reviews), Notarion (good reviews, responsive support), eNotary, OnlineNotary.com, and others. Criteria for choosing: (1) explicitly NC-compliant, (2) responsive customer service, (3) reasonable pricing ($25-75 per document, more than in-person notaries but includes convenience), (4) same-day or next-day availability. Try Notarize.com first; it’s the largest and most established. If your attorney is involved, ask if they have a preferred service (may have corporate discount).

Step 2: Upload your document (PDF format). Convert your document to PDF before starting. If it’s a handwritten will or old document, scan at high resolution (300 dpi minimum) before converting to PDF. Open the service’s website and look for “Upload Document” or “Start Notarization.” Select your PDF file. Confirm the file is readable on your screen. If text is blurry in the PDF, rescan and try again. File size is rarely an issue (probate documents under 25MB easily).

Step 3: Schedule your notarization appointment. Services usually show available time slots in an interactive calendar. Same-day appointments are common if you schedule before 3pm. Next-day appointments are nearly always available. Choose a time when you can sit quietly with a good internet connection (computer more stable than smartphone). Avoid coffee shops or public places; keep the location private.

Step 4: Join the video call with the notary. The service sends you a Zoom link or opens the video call within their platform. Video quality must be good enough for the notary to see your face and read your documents. Lighting is important: your face should be clearly visible, not backlit or shadowed. Background should be quiet and professional-looking (don’t conduct notarization at a coffee shop or bar).

Step 5: Notary verifies your identity. Hold up two forms of government-issued ID to the camera. Driver’s license + passport, or driver’s license + military ID both work. The notary takes a screenshot or video record. This takes 2-3 minutes. Have your IDs ready before the call starts so you don’t fumble. Make sure IDs are readable on camera (legible photo, clear enough to read).

Step 6: You sign the document electronically on screen. The document appears on your screen. Using the platform’s signature tool, you electronically sign. Options vary: you can draw your signature with your mouse/trackpad, type your name, or upload a signature image. Choose whichever feels most comfortable. The notary watches the signing process in real-time. This takes 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Notary applies electronic seal. The notary adds their digital signature and notary seal (embossed image) to the document. The seal appears as an image embedded in the PDF. Security features are automatically added: timestamp, tamper-evident markings, notary identification. All happens automatically on the platform.

Step 8: Download your notarized document. Immediately after the call ends, the service provides a download link and emails you the notarized PDF. The file is ready to use. Signature is official. You can file it with court, present it to a bank, or email it wherever needed.

Total time from starting the process to receiving a notarized PDF: about 30 minutes (including scheduling, waiting, the video call, and download).

Cost-Benefit: Remote vs. In-Person Notarization

Remote notarization costs more per document but saves time and travel.

In-person notarization: $5-15 per document. Local notary office, appointment usually within 1-2 days. You drive there, wait 15 minutes, sign, drive back. Total time: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on distance. Free if you find a bank notary, but service quality varies.

Remote notarization: $25-75 per document (varies by service). Same-day availability common. You sit at home. 30-minute video call. Total time: 30 minutes. No travel. Can schedule around your schedule (evening or weekend available on some platforms).

When remote makes sense: You’re managing an estate from far away. In-person notary would require travel. You need same-day notarization. You have multiple documents to notarize (doing several in one video call is efficient). You want to avoid travel during covid or illness concerns. You’re notarizing from a location where finding a notary is difficult.

When in-person is fine: You’re local to a notary. You have just one document. Cost is a major concern (in-person is cheaper).

For most executors managing an estate, remote notarization saves time that’s worth the extra cost.

Security and Privacy Concerns: Is Remote Notarization Safe?

A common concern: “Is it safe to show my ID on video to a stranger? Could my identity be stolen?”

Remote notarization services are held to strict security standards. Professional services use:

• End-to-end encryption for video calls (everything encrypted between you and notary)
• Secure storage of notary records (password-protected, access limited)
• ID verification tools that check IDs against government databases to prevent fake IDs
• Session recording that’s kept secure (proof of transaction, but locked down)

The major services (Notarize.com, Notarion, etc.) are SOC 2 Type II certified or equivalent, meaning third-party auditors verify their security practices.

Honestly, you’re safer with a reputable remote notarization service than you are walking into a random notary office and handing your ID to a stranger at a desk.

Use established services. Read reviews. Avoid cheap fly-by-night services you’ve never heard of. Stick with platforms that have been around 3+ years and have positive reviews. Your identity information is safer than you probably assume.

Common Questions About Remote Notarization in NC

Will NC banks and financial institutions accept remote-notarized documents? Yes, most major banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and title companies accept remote-notarized documents. The electronic seal is legally equivalent to ink. Best practice: contact the financial institution before investing time in notarization and confirm they accept remote. Rare institutions might request re-notarization if the seal appears unclear, but this is uncommon.

What if my internet connection drops during notarization? Most services offer one free reschedule if technology fails. You reschedule for later that day or next day. Connection interruption should be rare if you have reliable internet and use a computer rather than smartphone. Tip: use a wired connection if possible; WiFi is acceptable but wired is more stable.

Do I need the original document after remote notarization? Remote notarization notarizes the electronic version only. You don’t need a paper original (that’s actually the point of remote). However, some financial institutions or courts might request an original document separately, but that’s due to their own policies, not because of notarization. Confirm with the receiving party whether an original is needed.

Can I notarize documents for other people, or only for myself? Notaries can notarize documents for anyone (not just yourself). You can use remote notarization to notarize documents for your spouse, co-executor, beneficiaries, etc. The person signing needs to be on the video call with their ID verified.

What if I’m notarizing as executor, not as an individual? You still verify your individual identity (your ID, not the estate’s). The document being notarized shows the executor’s authority (Letters Testamentary). You sign as the executor. Notarization confirms that the person signing is who they claim to be (you as executor).

How long does the notarized document last? Indefinitely. Notarization is a snapshot of a moment in time. Once notarized, the document stays notarized forever. Unlike other certifications, notarization doesn’t expire.

After Remote Notarization: What’s Next

Once your document is notarized, what do you do with it?

File it with court. If you notarized a probate form (AOC-E-201, etc.), upload the notarized PDF to eCourts along with other documents. Courts accept remote-notarized forms.

Present it to banks and financial institutions. When accessing accounts or filing claims, email or deliver the notarized PDF. Banks verify the seal and grant access.

Share with attorney or beneficiaries. Email the PDF to your probate attorney or relevant parties. It’s a PDF, so it’s as easy to share as any document.

Store securely. Keep copies in your document vault (Google Drive, Dropbox, attorney’s office). You might need it months later.

Confirm it’s been accepted. After submitting to a court or financial institution, confirm receipt. “Thanks, we received and accepted the notarized document” is what you want to hear. If there’s pushback (“We don’t accept remote notarization”), it’s rare, but contact Afterpath or your attorney for advice.

Integrated Probate Management: Notarization + eCourts + Afterpath

Remote notarization is part of the larger probate ecosystem. It works alongside eCourts filing and Afterpath’s probate management.

Afterpath guides you on whether a document needs notarization. Remote notarization platforms notarize the document. eCourts filing submits the notarized document to court. Everything flows together.

The modernized probate process looks like this: Afterpath identifies your document requirements and deadlines. Remote notarization notarizes documents electronically. eCourts filing submits notarized documents to court. Approval happens within 24 hours. You move forward with probate administration.

Five years ago, these three steps took weeks. Today, they take days.

Conclusion

Remote notarization in North Carolina is legal, convenient, and widely accepted. It’s not a workaround or loophole. It’s the modern, legitimate way to notarize documents in 2026.

If you’re managing an estate and need documents notarized, remote notarization saves time and eliminates travel. Book an appointment through Notarize.com or similar service. Verify your identity via video. Sign electronically. Receive your notarized PDF within 30 minutes.

The cost is modest ($25-75 per document). The convenience is enormous. The legal validity is absolute.

Ready to notarize your probate documents? Download Afterpath’s Remote Notarization Comparison Guide (free PDF) to see which service is right for your needs. Or chat with Angelo 24/7 for guidance on whether a specific document requires notarization.

Not sure which documents need notarization? Use Afterpath’s free trial to see a complete checklist of your probate documents and their notarization requirements. Many documents don’t actually require notarization, so you might be able to skip the step entirely.