What factors may disqualify a person from being a notary in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, certain legal and ethical standards disqualify individuals from serving as notaries. A felony conviction or a history of dishonesty is particularly significant, as these factors directly relate to the trustworthiness and reliability expected of a notary public. Notaries are responsible for verifying identities and ensuring that documents are signed willingly and competently. Therefore, a past conviction for a felony or patterns of dishonesty could impair a person's ability to uphold these responsibilities, leading to disqualification.

The other options do not hold the same weight. For instance, a lack of formal education is not a disqualifying factor; the state does not require a specific educational background to become a notary. Similarly, while living outside of North Carolina does pose a potential problem for residency, it does not affect all notary candidates, particularly those who may maintain a residence in the state or have business ties that necessitate the notarial function. Lastly, not owning property is irrelevant to the qualifications for becoming a notary. Citizenship and residency within the state are the main requirements, not property ownership.