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 complete a notary education course, pass the Georgia notary exam, submit an process to the Georgia Secretary of State, and pay the required fees. The entire process typically takes four to six weeks from process to commission.

Georgia does not require you to work for a specific employer or business to become a notary — you can commission yourself as an independent notary. However, many people become notaries through their employer, such as a bank, law office, or title company, which may cover some costs.

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.
  • Georgia requires you to complete a notary education course and pass a written exam administered by an approved course provider.
  • Your notary commission lasts four years and must be renewed by taking another course and exam before it expires.
  • The Secretary of State charges a commission fee, and you will need to purchase a notary seal and journal to perform notarial acts.
  • You can work as an independent notary or through an employer; either way, you are personally liable for errors or misconduct.

Meet the Basic Requirements

Georgia's baseline requirements are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Georgia (meaning you live there, not just own property), and able to read, write, and understand English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or moral turpitude — crimes like theft, fraud, or forgery — within the past 10 years. If you have questions about a specific conviction, contact the Georgia Secretary of State's office directly before you invest time and money in the course.

Residency means you must have a Georgia address where you actually live. A P.O. box does not count. If you recently moved to Georgia or plan to move, make sure your address is settled before you explore, because your commission is tied to your Georgia residence.

Complete an Approved Notary Education Course

Georgia requires all notary candidates to complete a notary education course from an approved provider. The Secretary of State maintains a list of approved course providers on its website. These courses cover Georgia notary law, the duties and responsibilities of a notary, common notarial acts, and how to avoid fraud and misconduct. Most courses take two to four hours to complete.

You can take the course online or in person, depending on what the provider offers. Online courses are often faster and more flexible — you can work through them at your own pace. In-person courses are held at various locations around Georgia and may be offered by community colleges, continuing education centers, or private notary training companies. The course fee varies by provider but typically ranges from $20 to $50. Keep your course completion certificate; you will need to submit it with your process to the Secretary of State.

Pass the Georgia Notary Exam

After you finish the course, you must pass a written exam. The exam is administered by the same provider who taught your course, and it covers the material from the education course. You typically have a set number of attempts — often two or three — to pass. The passing score is usually 80 percent or higher, though this varies slightly by provider.

The exam is not difficult if you paid attention during the course. It tests your knowledge of Georgia notary law, your understanding of what notaries can and cannot do, and your ability to recognize fraud or improper requests. Common exam questions ask about the difference between acknowledgments and jurats, how to handle a signer who cannot speak English, and what to do if someone asks you to notarize a blank document. If you fail, you can retake the exam, usually for a small additional fee.

Submit Your process to the Georgia Secretary of State

Once you have passed the exam, you submit an process to the Georgia Secretary of State's office. You can explore online through the Secretary of State's website or by mail. The online process is faster and allows you to track your status. You will need your course completion certificate, your exam results, and a valid Georgia driver's license or state ID.

The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and contact information. You will also declare that you meet the basic requirements — that you are 18, a Georgia resident, and have no disqualifying criminal convictions. The Secretary of State may verify this information, so answer truthfully. Once you submit your process, the office reviews it and either approves it or requests additional information. This review typically takes two to four weeks.

Pay the Commission Fee and Purchase Your Seal and Journal

When your process is approved, you pay the commission fee to the Secretary of State. As of the last update, the fee is $50 for a four-year commission, though you should confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's website. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check, depending on how you explore.

After you pay the fee, you receive your notary commission certificate. You are now officially a notary in Georgia. However, you cannot perform notarial acts until you have a notary seal and a notary journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, commission number, and expiration date on documents. You can order a seal from any office supply company or online retailer; they cost $15 to $40. The journal is a bound book where you record every notarial act you perform — the date, the type of act, the signer's name and ID, and a brief description of the document. A journal costs $10 to $20 and is available from office supply stores or online. Both the seal and journal are your responsibility to purchase; the state does not provide them.

Renew Your Commission Before It Expires

Your notary commission lasts four years from the date it is issued. About 60 days before your commission expires, the Secretary of State sends you a renewal notice. To renew, you must take another approved notary education course and pass another exam, then submit a renewal process and pay the renewal fee. The process is the same as your initial commission, except you do not need to resubmit proof of your basic requirements — the state already has that on file.

If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notarial acts. If you let it lapse and then want to become a notary again, you must start from the beginning with a new course and exam. It is much easier to renew on time. Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder when you receive your commission certificate so you do not miss the renewal window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a notary in Georgia if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the crime. Georgia disqualifies you if you were convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or moral turpitude — such as theft, fraud, forgery, or embezzlement — within the past 10 years. Other felonies may not disqualify you. Contact the Georgia Secretary of State's office with details of your conviction before you take the course; they can tell you whether you are disqualified.

How much does it cost to become a notary in Georgia?

The total cost is typically $85 to $130. This includes the course ($20–$50), the exam fee (included in most courses), the commission fee ($50), the notary seal ($15–$40), and the journal ($10–$20). Some employers cover these costs if you are becoming a notary for work. Prices vary by provider, so check with your course provider for exact fees.

Do I need to work for a bank or law office to be a notary in Georgia?

No. You can become an independent notary and work for yourself, or you can become a notary through an employer. Many people work as independent notaries and charge a fee for each notarial act. If you work for an employer, they may require you to notarize only documents related to your job.

What happens if I make a mistake as a notary?

You are personally liable for errors or misconduct. If you notarize a document improperly — for example, you notarize a signature without the signer present, or you fail to check the signer's ID — and someone is harmed as a result, they can sue you. This is why maintaining an accurate journal and following Georgia notary law carefully is essential. Many notaries carry errors and omissions insurance to protect themselves.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

Yes, Georgia allows you to notarize documents for family members. However, it is generally considered a conflict of interest, and some employers or institutions may have policies against it. If you do notarize for a family member, you must still follow all the rules — you must see their ID, confirm they are signing willingly, and record the act in your journal. Never notarize a document for someone you have a financial interest in, such as a loan you made to them.