What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in Georgia
To become a notary public 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 written exam administered by the Georgia Secretary of State's office, submit an process with your exam results, and pay the required fee. Once approved, you receive your commission, which lasts four years.
The process takes roughly two to four weeks from process to commission, though it can vary depending on how quickly you submit your materials and how busy the Secretary of State's office is at the time. You do not need a law degree, prior experience, or sponsorship from an employer—anyone who meets the basic requirements can pursue this credential.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a Georgia resident, and able to read and write English; no other background is required.
- You take a written exam covering Georgia notary law and procedures, which you can study for using the official study guide from the Secretary of State.
- After passing the exam, you submit an process to the Georgia Secretary of State along with your exam results and the commission fee.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and must be renewed if you want to continue working as a notary after it expires.
- You can work as a notary independently, for a business, or part-time while holding another job.
Meet the Basic Requirements
Georgia's requirements to become a notary are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Georgia (which means 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 involving dishonesty or false statement. If you have questions about whether a past conviction affects your may be able to access, contact the Georgia Secretary of State's office directly before you pay for the exam.
Residency is confirmed by your Georgia driver's license or state ID. If you do not have one yet, you can obtain it through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You do not need to own property, work for a specific company, or have any professional background to may have access to.
Study for and Pass the Notary Exam
Georgia requires all notary candidates to pass a written exam. The exam covers Georgia notary law, your duties and responsibilities, how to handle documents correctly, and what situations require you to refuse a notarization. The exam is typically 30 questions, and you must score at least 70 percent to pass.
The Georgia Secretary of State provides a free study guide on its website that covers all the material tested. You can read it, print it, or read it online. Many people study the guide for a few hours to a few days before taking the exam, depending on how familiar they already are with notary procedures. You can retake the exam if you do not pass on your first attempt, though you may have to pay the exam fee again.
Exams are administered at the Georgia Secretary of State's office in Atlanta and at regional locations. You schedule your exam appointment online through the Secretary of State's website. Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early.
Submit Your process to the Secretary of State
Once you pass the exam, you have a limited time window—usually 90 days—to submit your process to the Georgia Secretary of State. Your process includes a completed process form (available on the Secretary of State's website), your exam results, and proof of residency such as a copy of your Georgia driver's license or a utility bill.
You also pay the commission fee at the time of process. As of the most recent update, the fee is $75 for a four-year commission, though you should confirm the current amount on the Secretary of State's website before submitting. Payment is typically made by check or money order sent with your process materials.
Mail your completed process packet to the address listed on the Secretary of State's website. Keep copies of everything you send. Processing usually takes two to four weeks, but delays can occur if your process is incomplete or if the office is processing a high volume of applications.
Receive Your Commission and Take the Oath
When your process is approved, the Secretary of State mails you your notary commission certificate. Before you can legally perform notarizations, you must take the oath of office. In Georgia, you can take this oath before a judge, a clerk of court, a notary public, or certain other officials. Many county courthouses offer this service at no charge or for a small fee.
Once you have taken the oath, you are officially commissioned and can begin notarizing documents. Some notaries keep a copy of their oath certificate with their commission certificate for their records, though it is not required to carry it with you while working.
Understand Your Duties and Limitations
As a notary, your job is to verify the identity of the person signing a document, confirm that they are signing of their own free will, and witness their signature. You do not interpret documents, give legal information, or determine whether a document is valid—you only verify the signing process. If someone asks you to notarize a document you are unsure about, you can refuse.
You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are a party to the transaction, or if you are related to the signer. You also cannot notarize a signature if the person is not physically present in front of you, with limited exceptions for remote notarization that Georgia allows under specific circumstances. Violating these rules can result in fines, loss of your commission, or legal liability.
Renew Your Commission Every Four Years
Your notary commission expires four years from the date it is issued. To continue working as a notary, you must renew before the expiration date. Georgia allows you to renew your commission by submitting a renewal process and fee to the Secretary of State. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process—you typically do not have to retake the exam, though you should confirm current renewal requirements on the Secretary of State's website.
The renewal fee is the same as the initial commission fee. If your commission expires and you do not renew, you cannot perform notarizations until you reapply and are reapproved. If you let your commission lapse and then want to return to notary work, you may have to retake the exam depending on how long it has been since your last commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a notary while employed by a bank or real estate company?
Yes. Many notaries work for employers and notarize documents as part of their job duties. Some employers require or encourage employees to become notaries. You can also work as an independent notary, notarizing documents for the public on a fee-for-service basis. Georgia law does not restrict where you work as long as you follow notary rules.
What should I charge for notarizing a document?
Georgia law sets a maximum fee of $5 per signature for notarizations. You can charge less or offer notarizations for free, but you cannot charge more than $5 per signature. Some notaries charge a flat fee per document rather than per signature, as long as it does not exceed the per-signature limit.
Do I need to maintain a notary journal or record book?
Georgia does not require notaries to keep a journal, but it is strongly recommended. A journal creates a record of every notarization you perform, including the date, the document type, the signer's name and ID, and any fees charged. This protects you if a notarization is later questioned and can help you defend yourself against claims of misconduct.
What happens if I move out of Georgia after becoming a notary?
Your Georgia notary commission becomes invalid if you move out of state and are no longer a Georgia resident. You would need to become a notary in your new state if you want to continue notarizing documents. Contact the Secretary of State's office in your new state for their specific requirements.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
No. Georgia law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer or have a financial interest in the transaction. This rule exists to prevent conflicts of interest and fraud. If a family member needs a notarization, they must use a different notary.