What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in Georgia
To become a notary in Georgia, you must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Georgia, and able to read and write English. You then take a notary exam administered by the Georgia Secretary of State's office, pass it, and submit your process along with a $50 process fee. The Secretary of State issues your commission for four years. You do not need a law degree, prior experience, or a sponsoring employer — the process is open to any resident who meets the basic requirements and passes the test.
The exam itself is not difficult if you study the material. It covers Georgia's notary laws, your duties and limitations, how to handle documents correctly, and what makes a notarization valid or invalid. Most people pass on their first attempt. Once you have your commission, you can notarize documents for the public, though you cannot notarize documents in which you have a financial interest, and you cannot work as a notary if you are a convicted felon.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a Georgia resident, and able to read and write English before you can take the notary exam.
- The Georgia Secretary of State administers the exam; you study the official notary handbook, take the test, and pay a $50 process fee.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and can be renewed by taking the exam again and paying another $50 fee.
- Once commissioned, you can notarize documents for members of the public, but you cannot notarize documents in which you have a financial stake.
Meet the Basic Requirements
Georgia's requirements to become a notary are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Georgia (meaning you have a Georgia address and intend to live there), and able to read and write English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony — if you have a felony conviction, you are permanently barred from holding a notary commission in Georgia.
You do not need to be employed by a specific business, work in a law office, or have any prior experience. Many notaries work independently and notarize documents for the public on a fee-for-service basis. Others work for banks, real estate offices, or title companies as part of their job. Either path is open to you once you hold a commission.
Study the Georgia Notary Handbook and Take the Exam
The Georgia Secretary of State publishes the Official Georgia Notary Handbook, which is the study material for the exam. You can read it free from the Secretary of State's website. The handbook covers what a notary is, your powers and duties, the types of notarizations you can perform, how to refuse a notarization, record-keeping requirements, and the penalties for breaking the law.
The exam is administered by the Secretary of State's office. You schedule it online through their website, choose a test date, and pay the exam fee (which varies but is typically around $10 to $15). The exam is multiple-choice, usually 30 to 40 questions, and you must score at least 70 percent to pass. You can take the exam at an office location or, in some cases, online depending on current offerings. Most people complete the exam in under an hour.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. There is no limit to how many times you can test, though you will pay the exam fee each time. Many people pass on the first try if they study the handbook carefully.
Submit Your process and Pay the Commission Fee
After you pass the exam, you submit your notary process to the Georgia Secretary of State. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and confirmation that you meet the basic requirements. You will also need to provide proof of your Georgia residency — a driver's license, utility bill, or lease agreement typically works.
The process fee is $50, and you pay it when you submit your process. The Secretary of State processes applications and issues your notary commission, which is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You will receive a commission certificate in the mail, which you should keep in a safe place. Some notaries frame it and display it in their office; others keep it at home.
Understand Your Duties and Limitations as a Notary
Once you are commissioned, your job is to verify the identity of people who ask you to notarize documents, confirm that they are signing of their own free will, and affix your notary seal and signature to the document. You are not responsible for the content of the document or whether the person signing it understands what they are signing. Your role is to witness the signature and verify identity.
You cannot notarize a document in which you have a financial interest — for example, you cannot notarize a deed to a house you are buying, or a loan document for money you are lending. You also cannot notarize a document if you are a party to the transaction. If someone asks you to notarize something you should not, you must refuse and explain why.
You are required to keep a notary journal (a record of every notarization you perform) and maintain it for at least five years. The journal should include the date, the type of document, the names of the people who signed, and their identification information. This protects you if a notarization is later questioned.
Renew Your Commission Every Four Years
Your notary commission expires four years after it is issued. To continue working as a notary, you must renew your commission before it expires. Renewal requires you to take the exam again, pass it, and submit a renewal process with another $50 fee. You do not have to wait until your commission expires to renew — you can renew up to 90 days before the expiration date.
If your commission expires and you do not renew it, you can no longer notarize documents. If someone asks you to notarize something after your commission has expired, you must decline. If you do notarize after expiration, you can face penalties and fines.
Where to Find the process and Exam Information
All information about becoming a notary in Georgia comes from the Georgia Secretary of State's office. Visit their website and look for the Notary Public section. There you will find the Official Georgia Notary Handbook (free to read), information about exam dates and scheduling, the process form, and answers to common questions.
You can also contact the Secretary of State's office by phone or mail if you have questions that are not answered on the website. They can tell you the current exam fee, the next available test dates, and whether you are may be able to access to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to work for a company to become a notary in Georgia?
No. You can become a notary as an independent person and notarize documents for the public on your own. Many notaries work for employers like banks or real estate offices, but that is not required. You only need to meet the age, residency, and English-language requirements and pass the exam.
Can I notarize documents for family members?
You can notarize for family members as long as you do not have a financial interest in the document and you are not a party to the transaction. For example, you can notarize a family member's signature on a power of attorney, but you cannot notarize a deed if you are inheriting property from it or a loan if you are lending the money.
What happens if I fail the notary exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need to. There is no limit on attempts. You will pay the exam fee each time you test. Most people pass after studying the handbook carefully, so do not be discouraged by a first failure.
How much can I charge to notarize a document in Georgia?
Georgia law sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarization. You can charge less, but you cannot charge more. Some notaries charge $5 per signature if a document has multiple signatures that need notarizing.
What do I do if someone asks me to notarize something I should not?
Refuse politely and explain why. You cannot notarize documents in which you have a financial interest, documents where you are a party, or documents where the signer is not present or does not appear to be signing of their own free will. Refusing protects you and the person asking, and it is part of your duty as a notary.