Remote Online Notarization in North Carolina: Where Things Stand in 2026. Sorting out RON, eNotary registration, and the temporary EVN program.

Remote and electronic notarization in North Carolina has changed several times over the past few years, and it's easy to lose track of what's currently allowed. Here's a plain-language rundown of where things stand as of July 2026, along with the sources to check for updates, since this is an area that continues to evolve.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) Is Permanent

North Carolina's Secure Notarization Act, signed into law in July 2022, made remote online notarization a permanent option, with RON becoming effective on July 1, 2023. RON lets a notary and a signer complete a notarization over live audio-video technology instead of being in the same physical room. To perform RON, a notary must hold a separate Electronic Notary Commission, register with the Secretary of State, and use a communication technology platform that is licensed by the state, secure, and capable of recording the session and verifying the participants' location.

The Rules Got More Detailed in 2025

New administrative rules covering electronic and remote notarization (18 NCAC 07D, 07F, and 07H) took effect July 1, 2025, raising the bar for approved technology platforms, identity verification steps, and remote oath procedures. If you registered for RON before that date, it's worth double-checking that your platform and workflow still meet the current standard.

Who Can Appear Where

For a RON session, the notary must be physically located in North Carolina at the time of the notarization. The signer can be elsewhere, including outside North Carolina, as long as they remain within the United States. A few document types are carved out and still require in-person, traditional notarization, most notably wills, codicils, and powers of attorney, so RON is not a universal substitute for an in-person appointment.

Emergency Video Notarization (EVN) Is a Separate, Temporary Program

EVN is not the same thing as RON, and the two get confused often. EVN was created as a temporary, emergency measure and has been extended multiple times by the General Assembly rather than made permanent. Under the most recent extension, House Bill 517, signed by Governor Stein, EVN authority runs through 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2027, or until the first license is issued for a newer category called Remote Electronic Notarization, whichever happens first. Notaries relying on EVN should watch the Secretary of State's alerts closely, since this expiration date has moved before and could move again.

A Journal Requirement That Actually Applies

While North Carolina doesn't require a journal for ordinary in-person notarizations, a notary performing an emergency video notarization is required to keep a journal of that notarization, retained for at least ten years, and it may be kept electronically. If EVN is part of your practice, that recordkeeping obligation isn't optional.

Practical Tips If You're Considering RON

If you're weighing whether to add electronic notary registration to your practice, a few things are worth thinking through first. Confirm any platform you're considering is currently on the Secretary of State's approved list, since that list has changed as the 2025 rules took effect. Budget time for the separate course and application, on top of what you already completed for your base commission. And think honestly about your client base: RON tends to pay off most for notaries who serve clients spread across a wide area, or who want to serve people who can't easily travel, rather than a purely local, walk-in practice.

The Bottom Line

As of mid-2026, North Carolina notaries have three tracks: traditional in-person notarization (no separate registration needed), permanent RON under the Secure Notarization Act (its own commission and an approved platform), and temporary EVN (currently authorized through mid-2027, or sooner if Remote Electronic Notarization licensing arrives first). Because the details around technology standards and expiration dates keep shifting, the Secretary of State's Notary Division page is the most reliable place to confirm the current rules before you rely on any of these methods for a client.

A Quick Note

This article is for general information only and reflects North Carolina notary law as of July 2026. It is not legal advice. Notary law and rules change, so always confirm current requirements with the North Carolina Secretary of State's office or a licensed North Carolina attorney before relying on anything here for a specific transaction.