Can notaries perform their duties outside of North Carolina?

A notary public in North Carolina is authorized to perform notarial acts only within the geographic boundaries of the state. This limitation is established by North Carolina law, which requires that notaries adhere to jurisdictional boundaries when executing their duties. The role of a notary is to prevent fraud and ensure that documents are executed properly within the state, which involves identifying signers and affirming the authenticity of signatures in accordance with state-specific laws.

While there may be scenarios where a document notarized by a North Carolina notary could be accepted in another state, the notary themselves is not authorized to perform notarial acts outside of North Carolina unless they hold a notary commission in that other state. This principle reflects the idea that notarial authority is tied to the state in which the notary was commissioned, reinforcing the importance of local regulations and procedures in maintaining the integrity of notarial practices.

Therefore, the assertion that notaries can only perform notarial acts within North Carolina is aligned with the legal framework governing notaries in the state, making it the correct choice.