To become a notary public in Georgia, you need to follow these steps:
- Meet Eligibility Requirements :
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
- Be a legal resident of the Georgia county where you apply, or if you live in a bordering state, be regularly employed or carry on a business in the Georgia county where you apply.
- Be able to read and write English.
- Provide an operating telephone number.
- Have no felony convictions and be a person of integrity and good moral character
- Complete the Required Notary Training Course :
- All new and renewing applicants must complete the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) online notary training course and obtain a certificate of completion
- Fill Out the Notary Application :
- Many Georgia counties offer a web-based application process where you submit your data online, print the application packet, gather necessary signatures (endorsers who are over 18, legal residents of the county, and not related to you), and bring the signed application to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county for final processing
* If your county does not participate in the online process, you must obtain a paper application from your county's Clerk of Superior Court
- Submit Your Application and Take the Oath of Office :
- Bring your signed application, certificate of completion from the training course, and the filing fee to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county.
- Pay the application fee, which ranges from $40 to $55 depending on the county.
- Take your oath of office administered by the clerk
- Receive Your Notary Certificate and Purchase Your Notary Seal :
- After your application is approved and oath taken, you will receive your notary commission certificate.
- Purchase your official Georgia notary seal (stamp), which typically costs around $30
- Optional but Recommended :
- Use a notary journal to keep records of your notarizations for legal protection and trustworthiness
The notary commission in Georgia is valid for four years, and you can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state during that time
. In summary, the process involves eligibility verification, mandatory training, application submission with endorsements, fee payment, oath-taking, and obtaining your seal to start your notary public duties in Georgia
