[ ![Aldora](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/images/pages/Logo-Design-Transparent.png) ](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/)

 [ Book an Appointment](https://aldorasnotary.com/book-appointment)

  [ ](# "Menu")

 ## Notary Fundamentals

### Essential guidance on notary seals, rules, and best practices for every notary public.

1. [Home](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/)
2. [Blog](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog)
3. [Notary Fundamentals](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/notary-fundamentals)
4. What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary Public

  Notary Fundamentals# What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary Public

Written by [Aldora Hunter](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/about), Certified Notary Signing Agent, 17+ years of experience·Updated October 2026

Every notary eventually hears it: “Can you just tell me what this means?” or “Can you stamp this flyer for my business?” The answer to both is no, and North Carolina law spells out exactly why.

A notary plays an important role, but that role has clear limits. Here’s what North Carolina law says a notary can’t do, what a notary can do, and why those boundaries protect everyone involved.

 ![What you can and cannot do as a notary public](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/images/siteimages/blogs/webp/DosAndDonts-v2-Intro.webp)

## Key Takeaways

- North Carolina notaries perform acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, and verifications or proofs.
- Never use your notary title or seal to endorse or oppose a product, service, contest, or candidate.
- A non-attorney notary can’t give legal advice or help draft, complete, choose, or explain a document.
- When a signer needs guidance, refer them to an attorney.

  Notary Fundamentals# What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary Public

Written by [Aldora Hunter](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/about), Certified Notary Signing Agent, 17+ years of experience·Updated October 2026

Every notary eventually hears it: “Can you just tell me what this means?” or “Can you stamp this flyer for my business?” The answer to both is no, and North Carolina law spells out exactly why.

A notary plays an important role, but that role has clear limits. Here’s what North Carolina law says a notary can’t do, what a notary can do, and why those boundaries protect everyone involved.

 ![What you can and cannot do as a notary public](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/images/siteimages/blogs/webp/DosAndDonts-v2-Intro.webp)

## Key Takeaways

- North Carolina notaries perform acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, and verifications or proofs.
- Never use your notary title or seal to endorse or oppose a product, service, contest, or candidate.
- A non-attorney notary can’t give legal advice or help draft, complete, choose, or explain a document.
- When a signer needs guidance, refer them to an attorney.

  Document Boundaries## Don’t Help Prepare, Choose, or Explain Documents

A notary’s job is to verify identity and perform the notarial act. It isn’t to explain, advise on, or prepare the document.

You also can’t take a blank or incomplete document and make it legal by adding your signature and seal. A notary should never stamp, sign, or use their commission for anything except notarizing documents as North Carolina law allows.

### A Notary Can’t Help With

- Preparing wills, mortgages, deeds, deeds of trust, or other legal documents
- Immigration consultation
- Deciding which notarial certificate a document needs

**About certificates:** if a document doesn’t include certificate wording, a notary can show the signer the certificate options North Carolina law recognizes, but the signer chooses which one to use.

  What a Notary Can Do## What a North Carolina Notary Can Do

North Carolina law authorizes notaries to perform three notarial acts.

✍️

### 1. Take Acknowledgments

The signer appears in person, is identified, and either signs in front of the notary or confirms that the signature already on the document is theirs. Common on deeds, powers of attorney, and loan documents.

✋

### 2. Administer Oaths and Affirmations

The signer vows, under penalty of perjury, that their statements are true. An oath invokes a deity or uses the word “swear”; an affirmation is the same promise on personal honor. When certified on a document, it’s called a jurat, most often seen on affidavits.

👥

### 3. Take Verifications or Proofs

A witness who watched the signer sign (or heard the signer acknowledge the signature) appears before the notary, is identified, and swears to what they saw. The witness can’t be a party to or beneficiary of the transaction. Often used when the signer can’t appear in person.

  Final Thoughts## Remember What You Were Sworn to Do

Don’t get yourself in trouble with state law, and don’t be led into doing anything you think may be illegal. These boundaries protect you, your commission, and the people you serve.

In North Carolina, the rules for what a notary can and can’t do are set out in [G.S. 10B-20](https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_10b/gs_10b-20.html) and [G.S. 10B-24](https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_10b/gs_10b-24.html).

### When in Doubt

- Don’t guess. Check the statutes or your Notary Handbook.
- Refer legal questions to an attorney.
- Decline any request you think may be illegal.

  Common Questions## Frequently Asked Questions

 ### Can a notary give legal advice in North Carolina? +

No. A notary who isn't a licensed attorney is prohibited from giving legal advice or doing anything that amounts to practicing law.

  ### Can a notary help me fill out or choose a document? +

No. A non-attorney notary can't help you draft, complete, select, or understand a document that needs to be notarized. For that, you'll need an attorney.

  ### Can a notary use their seal to endorse a business or candidate? +

No. A notary can't use their title or seal to endorse, promote, or oppose any product, service, contest, or candidate. They can still notarize documents signed by others.

  ### What can a North Carolina notary do? +

North Carolina notaries perform acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, and verifications or proofs.

 ## Need a Notary Near You in NC?

Mobile notary services in Cameron, Spring Lake, Anderson Creek, Lillington, Angier, Fayetteville, and surrounding areas. We come to you.
Monday–Friday 8am–6pm | Saturday 1pm–6pm | Sunday Closed

 [Book an Appointment](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/book-appointment) [Call / Text: 910.795.1227](tel:+19107951227)

  Keep Reading [NC Notary Seal Requirements](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/notary-fundamentals/what-do-you-need-on-your-notary-seal) [What Notaries Need to Know About Apostilles](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/apostille-international/what-notaries-need-to-know-about-apostilles-clearing-up-common-misunderstandings) [High Risk Documents](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/safety-fraud-prevention/high-risk-documents) [Notary Rules in the Age of AI](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/safety-fraud-prevention/notary-rules-in-the-age-of-ai-how-to-stay-compliant-and-avoid-fraud) [How to Find a Notary Near Me](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/client-resources/how-to-find-a-notary-near-me)

    [

 ](#)

- [Home](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/)
- [Apostille](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service)
    - [Military Assignments](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service/military-assignments)
    - [Destination Weddings](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service/destination-weddings)
    - [Study Abroad](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service/study-abroad)
    - [Work Abroad](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service/work-abroad)
    - [Teaching Abroad](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service/teaching-abroad)
- [Blog](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog)
- [Services](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered)
    - [Loan Signings](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings)
        - [Purchase Loan Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/purchase-loan-signing)
        - [Mortgage Refinance Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/mortgage-refinance-signing)
        - [Seller Package Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/seller-package-signing)
        - [Loan Modification Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/loan-modification-signing)
        - [Reverse Mortgage Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/reverse-mortgage-signing)
        - [HELOC Signing](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/loan-signings/heloc-signing)
    - [Field Inspections](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/field-inspections)
    - [NC County Pages](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages)
        - [Lee County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/lee-county)
        - [Moore County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/moore-county)
        - [Hoke County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/hoke-county)
        - [Harnett County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/harnett-county)
        - [Cumberland County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/cumberland-county)
        - [Wake County](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/wake-county)
- [About](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/about)
- [Contact](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/contact)
- [ANS Profiles](#)

    - [Notary Stars](https://www.notarystars.com/north-carolina/cameron/notary-public-1/aldora-hunter)
    - [National Notary Association](https://www.signingagent.com/profile/158102761)
    - [Notary Cafe](https://notarycafe.com/Aldora.Hunter)
    - [Notary Rotary](https://www.notaryrotary.com/pro/AldorasNotary)
    - [Snapdocs](https://notary.snapdocs.com/notary-public/north-carolina/cameron/aldora-hunter)
    - [Notary Resume](https://www.notaryresume.com/aldorasnotary)

 ![Aldora]()

#####  Subscribe to news

######  Top Page

- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Home](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()About](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/about)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Apostille](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/apostille-service)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Contact](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/contact)

######  Popular Links

- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Blogs](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()High Risk Documents](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/blog/safety-fraud-prevention/high-risk-documents)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Wake County Signing Agent](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/wake-county)
- [![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Harnett County Notary](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/services-offered/nc-county-pages/harnett-county)

######  Legal Policies

- [![icon-alt]()Terms of Use](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/terms-of-use)
- [![icon-alt]()Privacy Policy](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/privacy-policy)
- [![icon-alt]()SMS Messaging Terms and Conditions](https://www.aldorasnotary.com/sms-messaging-terms-and-conditions)

######  Mailing Address

- ![qxio-arrow-right-b]()183 Mittie Haddock Drive
- ![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Suite 136
- ![qxio-arrow-right-b]()Cameron, NC 28326
- ![qxio-iphone]()Phone: 910.795.1227
- [![icon-alt]()](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aldorasnotary/)
- [![icon-alt]()](https://x.com/AldoraNotary)
- [![icon-alt]()](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092274068130#)

Copyright 2009-2026. All Rights Reserved by Aldora's Notary & Apostille Service

- ![qxif-angle-right]()**Hours:** Monday thru Friday :
- ![qxif-angle-right]()8 am - 6 pm
- ![qxif-angle-right]()Saturday :
- ![qxif-angle-right]()1 pm - 6 pm
- ![qxif-angle-right]()Sunday :
- ![qxif-angle-right]()Closed