Exhibit 32
                        SOUTHCOAST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


The  undersigned,  who are the chief  executive  officer and the chief financial
officer of Southcoast Financial Corporation,  each hereby certifies that, to the
best of his knowledge,  the accompanying  Form 10-Q of the issuer fully complies
with the  requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, and that information  contained in the report fairly  presents,  in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
issuer.




Date:    May 8, 2008                            /s/ L. Wayne Pearson
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                                                L. Wayne Pearson
                                                Chief Executive Officer




                                                /s/ William C. Heslop
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                                                William C. Heslop
                                                Chief Financial Officer