How to become a notary in Georgia

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Georgia Notaries are commissioned for a four-year term in the county of their residence.

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.

The processing time varies by county.

Learn how you can qualify to become a Notary in the Peach State.

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

Applicants for a Notary Public commission are required to complete an educational training course. You can find the training course on the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) website.

Most Georgia counties allow you to complete the application online. If you complete an online application, you’ll need to print it out.

Bring your application and course completion certificate 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.

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.

Effective January 1, 2025, Georgia Notaries are required to maintain an electronic or paper journal to record notarial acts performed at the request of a self-filer.

A self-filer is any person who is a party to certain documents that convey, transfer, encumber, or affect real estate and personal property. Examples include:

• Deed
• Mortgage
• Lien
• Maps or plats related to real estate in a county
• State tax executions and state tax execution renewals

For a list of individuals excluded from the definition of “self-filer” and journal entry requirements, check out GA House Bill 1292.

While a journal or record book is not mandatory for all notarial acts, the GSCCCA strongly recommends its use to maintain accurate and detailed records of all notarizations performed.

Below, we answer the most common questions about being a Notary in Georgia.

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Last updated: Jan 16, 2025

Get everything you need with a full Georgia Notary Package.