Starting on January 1, 2025, applicants are required to complete a Notary training course and submit the certificate of completion along with their application.
Georgia residents can become a Notary Public by taking the following steps:
- Meet Georgia's eligibility requirements.
- Complete the application.
- Pay the filing fee of $37 and take your oath of office.
- Receive your Notary certificate of appointment.
- Buy your Notary seal.
About the Georgia Notary Process
Georgia Notaries are commissioned for a four-year term in the county of their residence.
Cost to Become a GA Notary
The cost to become a Notary in Georgia is between $70 to $85, depending on the county in which you apply and the supplier you choose.
| Expense |
Cost |
| Appointment fee |
$40 - $55 |
| Notary seal |
$30 |
| Total Cost |
$70 - $85 |
Commission Processing Time
The processing time varies by county.
Georgia Notary Public Requirements
Learn how you can qualify to become a Notary in the Peach State.
Eligibility
There are basic qualifications for a person to become a Notary in Georgia. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a legal resident of the Georgia county in which you apply, or be a resident of a state bordering Georgia who is employed or carrying out a business or profession in the county in which you apply
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Be able to read and write English
- Have and provide an operating telephone number
Notary Training
Starting on January 1, 2025, applicants for a Notary Public commission are required to complete an educational training course to become a Georgia Notary. You can find the training course on the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) website.
Application
The application is available on paper, but many Georgia counties allow you to complete the application online instead. If you choose to complete it online, you’ll need to print it out.
If you’re applying on or after January 1, 2025, you’ll need to submit the certificate of completion from the state-required training course along with your application.
Oath of Office
Bring your application to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county of residence or employment. Pay the application fee and take your oath of office.
The clerk's office will issue your Notary certificate of appointment.
Notary Seal
A Notary seal is required for every notarization you perform. The Notary seal may be an inked stamp or an embosser and must contain the following information:
- Your name as it appears on your commission
- The words "Notary Public"
- The word "Georgia" or "GA"
- The county in which you are commissioned
Your commission expiration date on the seal is optional but strongly recommended by the state, as this is required for some notarizations.
Georgia Notary Public FAQs
Below, we answer the most common questions about being a Notary in Georgia.
Which state government office handles Notaries?
Georgia's superior court clerks appoint and commissions Notaries. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) keeps a statewide central database of all Notaries and sends renewal notifications.
Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)
1875 Century Blvd NE #100
Atlanta, GA 30345
Do I need to take an exam?
No, passing an exam is not required to become a Notary in Georgia. The state does offer an optional Notary Public Final Exam for $10 if you choose to take their online training course.
Do I need a surety bond or insurance?
Where will I be able to notarize?
You may notarize anywhere in the state of Georgia.
Who can I notarize for?
You may notarize for everyone, excluding yourself. You cannot notarize your own signature, nor can you notarize documents you are named in or would benefit from.
Georgia law doesn't specifically prohibit notarizing for a spouse or relative or for a spouse's business.
If you perform notarizations as part of your employment, your employer may limit the notarizations you perform during your work hours.
How much can Georgia Notaries charge for their services?
Georgia sets the maximum fee Notaries may charge at $2 per notarial act. An additional fee for travel may be charged.
If you charge any fees, you must inform signers in advance. A fee schedule written in English must be prominently displayed in your place of work if you advertise your services.
What happens if I move or change my name?
Any changes to your address, phone number or name must be reported to the appointing superior court clerk within 30 days of the change.
- Address/Phone Number Changes: Complete the Notary Public Contact Information Change Form and submit it to the appointing superior court clerk with a copy to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
If you move to a different county, you may use your current commission and stamp until the end of your term.
When you renew, you must use your new address on your commission and order a new seal.
- Name Changes: Follow the same process as an address change. The clerk will provide confirmation at which point you may order a new seal and perform notarizations under your new name.
What is the process for renewing my commission as a Georgia Notary?
The process to renew your Georgia Notary Public commission is the same as applying for a new Notary commission.
Effective January 1, 2025, you must successfully complete a training course provided by the GSCCCA within 30 days before your renewal appointment.
You may submit a renewal application no more than 30 days prior to your commission expiration date. You may want to buy a new Notary seal to reflect your updated commission expiration date. You may also choose to get a new record book (journal) if your old one is full.
What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Georgia?
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Last updated: Dec 11, 2024