How to become a notary in Georgia
Eligibility, a course, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Clerk of Superior Court of the applicant's county (statewide records kept by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, GSCCCA).
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Legal resident of the county where you apply (Georgia residents must apply in their county of residence). Residents of a state bordering Georgia may apply in the Georgia county where they are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession; US citizen or legal resident of the United States; able to read and write English; must provide an operating telephone number. New applicants may need endorsers (character references who live in the county, have known you 30+ days and are not relatives), depending on the county.
- Take the required notary course — Since January 1, 2025 (HB 1292) every applicant must complete the GSCCCA-approved notary training course (free, online at elearn.gsccca.org) and bring the certificate of completion; renewing notaries must take it within 30 days before reappointment.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprints or state background check.
- Apply to the Clerk of Superior Court of the applicant's county (statewide records kept by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, GSCCCA) — Pay the — state fee. Other fees: County appointment fee of $40-$55 paid to the Clerk of Superior Court (varies by county; same for new and renewal). The GSCCCA training course is free; seal is bought separately.
- Take the oath and file it — Take the oath of office in person at the Clerk of Superior Court when you submit the signed application and pay the fee; the clerk then issues the certificate of appointment (plus a duplicate to show the seal vendor).
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: seal with the notary's name, the words "Notary Public", county of appointment and "Georgia"; rubber ink stamp or metal embosser both acceptable, bought with the duplicate certificate of appointment. Journal: Required for notarial acts performed for self-filers (since January 1, 2025); recommended otherwise.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Georgia's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Georgia notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Clerk of Superior Court of the applicant's county (statewide records kept by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, GSCCCA) |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Legal resident of the county where you apply (Georgia residents must apply in their county of residence). Residents of a state bordering Georgia may apply in the Georgia county where they are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession. |
| Course | Required Since January 1, 2025 (HB 1292) every applicant must complete the GSCCCA-approved notary training course (free, online at elearn.gsccca.org) and bring the certificate of completion; renewing notaries must take it within 30 days before reappointment. |
| Exam | Not required No state exam. |
| State fee | — |
| Other fees | County appointment fee of $40-$55 paid to the Clerk of Superior Court (varies by county; same for new and renewal). The GSCCCA training course is free; seal is bought separately. |
| Surety bond | None No bond is required of Georgia notaries. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprints or state background check. |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Take the oath of office in person at the Clerk of Superior Court when you submit the signed application and pay the fee; the clerk then issues the certificate of appointment (plus a duplicate to show the seal vendor). |
| Seal | Required: seal with the notary's name, the words "Notary Public", county of appointment and "Georgia"; rubber ink stamp or metal embosser both acceptable, bought with the duplicate certificate of appointment. |
| Journal | Required for notarial acts performed for self-filers (since January 1, 2025); recommended otherwise |
| Max fee per notarization | $2 per notarial act (plus $2 for a clerk's certificate of commission, on request) |
| Remote online notary | Not authorized Georgia notaries may not perform remote online notarization; RON bills (SB 8, HB 289) were pending in the 2025-2026 session and the GSCCCA site does not list any RON commission. |
| Renewal | Complete the training course within 30 days before expiration, then file a renewal application with the Clerk of Superior Court of the same county and pay the fee; some counties allow renewal by mail. Existing seal can be reused if its details match the new commission. |
Most counties use the GSCCCA web-based application: fill it out online, print it, get endorser signatures if required, then take it to the clerk's office to pay and take the oath. Georgia notaries may notarize anywhere in the state. Name, address or phone changes must reach the clerk within 30 days.
Sources: GSCCCA - General Notary Information and FAQ · GSCCCA - Notary Public Application · GSCCCA - Notary Public Education Rules (effective 1/1/2025) · GSCCCA - Georgia Notary Law summary · Georgia General Assembly - SB 8 committee substitute (RON, pending). Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Georgia notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Georgia licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Georgia insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Georgia?
The state fee is —, plus County appointment fee of $40-$55 paid to the Clerk of Superior Court (varies by county; same for new and renewal). The GSCCCA training course is free; seal is bought separately.. Add the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Georgia?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission, plus the time for the course and exam.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Georgia?
Georgia requires a course.
How much can a notary charge in Georgia?
$2 per notarial act (plus $2 for a clerk's certificate of commission, on request).
Can I be an online notary in Georgia?
Georgia hasn't authorized its notaries to perform remote online notarizations (Georgia notaries may not perform remote online notarization; RON bills (SB 8, HB 289) were pending in the 2025-2026 session and the GSCCCA site does not list any RON commission.).