How to Become a Notary in Georgia

How do I renew my notary commission in Georgia?

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To renew your Georgia notary commission, follow the same steps you took when you applied to become a notary the first time. You can renew your notary commission within thirty days of your notary commission expiration date. If you provided the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) with an e-mail address, a renewal notification will be sent to you thirty days prior to expiration of your notary commission.

Who appoints notaries in Georgia?

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The clerks of the superior courts appoint and commission Georgia notaries public and issue applicants’ notary certificates of appointment The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) keeps a record of the names of the notaries public appointed.

Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority
Notary Division
1875 Century Blvd, Ste. 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
Phone: (404) 327-6023

Can a non-resident of Georgia apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. An out-of-state resident can become a Georgia notary public if the person:

1. Meets the qualifications as a Georgia resident (excluding residency).
2. Is a legal resident of a bordering state (Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee).
3. Is regularly employed or carries on a business or profession in the Georgia county in which they wish to be commissioned.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Georgia?

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The term of office of a Georgia notary public is four years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Georgia?

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Georgia state law does not require notary applicants (new or renewal) to complete a course of study or examination. However, some clerks of superior court might require notary applicants to take the notary training course and pass an exam. The training and exam are available on the Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Cooperative Authority's website.

Georgia notaries interested in learning Georgia notary law can purchase a notary handbook available on the American Association of Notaries website.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Georgia?

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The cost to become a notary in Georgia includes:

1. A $36 - $51 application fee. Check with the county in which you are applying for the exact fee.
2. A fee to have your notary application notarized.
3. The $2 fee to take the exam (if required).

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. A notary seal. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
2. A journal (optional) to record all notarial acts performed. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
3. An errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you as a notary. Click here to view our notary E&O policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Georgia?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Georgia notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Georgia notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Georgia notary public.

Georgia notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website: https://www.notarypublicstamps.com/notary-insurance/georgia.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Georgia?

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No. Georgia does not require you to provide proof of a notary bond in order to become a notary public or to renew your notary public commission.

A notary public is liable to any person for damages that result from their negligence, errors, or omissions. Georgia notaries are encouraged to purchase a notary E&O insurance policy to insure themselves against unintentional mistakes.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Georgia?

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Georgia notary law requires all Georgia notaries public to use either an embossed notary seal or an inked notary stamp to authenticate all notarial acts.

The Georgia notary seal or stamp must contain the following information:

• The notary’s name as it appears on their notary certificate of appointment.
• The words “Notary Public.”
• The word “Georgia” or the abbreviation “GA.”
• The name of the county where the notary was commissioned.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Georgia notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Georgia notary seal?

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To replace your lost or stolen notary seal, you must:

1. Provide a written notification to your appointing clerk of superior court within ten days of loss or theft. Click here to find your county contact information.
2. Submit a copy of the written notification to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) within ten days of loss or theft.
3. Purchase a new notary seal.

How much can a Georgia notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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Georgia notary fees are set by state law (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-11). The maximum allowable fees that a Georgia notary public may charge for notarial acts are listed below:

• Administering an oath in any case: $2
• Each attendance on any person to make proof as a notary public and certifying to same: $2
• Every other certificate: $2

Note:

• Notary fees are optional.
• Prior to performing the act, a notary public must inform the person requesting any notarial act of the fees permitted by law.

Is a notary journal required in Georgia?

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Notary journal requirements in Georgia for traditional notarizations – Georgia law does not require notaries to maintain a journal of notarial acts; however, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority strongly encourages notaries to maintain a journal to protect the integrity of the acts. A notary journal can be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Georgia notaries record in their notary journals?

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If you choose to maintain a notary journal, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority recommends that you record the following information:

1. Signer’s name.
2. Signer’s address.
3. Type of identification used to identify the signer.
4. Type of document being notarized.
5. Date and time of the notarial act.
6. Any comments or special observations.

What steps should I take if my Georgia notary journal is lost or stolen?

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Since notary journals are optional, Georgia notary laws do not address this question. If your notary journal was stolen or lost, we recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

How long should I retain my Georgia notary journal?

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Georgia notary laws do not address this question, since notary journals are optional. We recommend you keep the notary journal indefinitely.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Georgia?

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Georgia notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Georgia.

What notarial acts can a Georgia notary public perform?

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A Georgia notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8):

• Witness or attest signature or execution of deeds and other written instruments.
• Take acknowledgments.
• Administer oaths and affirmations in all matters incidental to their duties as commercial officers and all other oaths and affirmations which are not by law required to be administered by a particular officer.
• Witness affidavits upon oath or affirmation.
• Take verifications upon oath or affirmation.
• Make certified copies, provided that the document presented for copying is an original document and is neither a public record nor a publicly recorded document (certified copies of which are available from an official source other than a notary) and provided that the document was photocopied under supervision of the notary.
• Other acts as authorized by other laws of Georgia.

What type of notarizations are allowed in Georgia?

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A Georgia notary is allowed to perform the following types of notarizations:

Traditional notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary seal impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations: The state of Georgia has not yet adopted statutes or regulations that establish rules, guidelines, standards, and procedures for notarizations on electronic documents. Nevertheless, Georgia has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, including the provision on notarization and acknowledgment (O.C.G.A. § 10-12-1 through 10-12-20), which authorizes electronic signatures used by Georgia notaries. O.C.G.A. § 10-12-11 states, “If a law requires a signature or record to be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, such requirement shall be satisfied if the electronic signature of the person authorized to perform those acts, together with all other information required to be included by other applicable law, is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record.” Moreover, Georgia adopted the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (O.C.G.A. § 44-2-35 through 44-2-39.2), which authorizes electronic signatures.

Most importantly, Georgia state law requires that a document signer personally appear before a notary public and be physically close enough to see, hear, communicate, and give identification credentials without the use of electronic devices, including telephones, computers, video cameras, or video conferences during the entire performance of the notarial act. Therefore, Georgia notaries public are prohibited from performing online webcam notarizations.

How do I update my address on my Georgia notary commission?

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If your residence or business address, whichever was used for your appointment, changes during your notary commission term, you must within thirty days:

1. Complete a Georgia Notary Public Information Change Form.
2. Submit the form to the clerk of superior court in the county in which you are commissioned.
3. Submit a copy of the form to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority/Notary Division.

Note: Follow the same steps listed above to update your phone number or email address.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Georgia?

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If your name has legally changed during the term of your notary commission, you must within thirty days:

1. Complete a Georgia Notary Public Information Change Form.
2. Submit the form to the clerk of superior court in the county in which you are commissioned.
3. Submit a copy of the form to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority/Notary Division.

Note:

• Many counties require a notary to personally appear before them to complete changes to a notary commission. Contact your appointing clerk of superior court’s office for county-specific instructions to ensure you satisfy all essential requirements.
• Do not sign notarial certificates under your new name until:
  A. the Georgia Notary Public Information Change Form has been received by your appointing clerk of superior court
  B. you receive the amended notary certificate of appointment; and
  C. you purchase a new seal bearing the new name.

Revised:

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January 2024