How to become a notary in Georgia
Notaries in Georgia are commissioned by the Clerk of Superior Court in the applicant's county (program administered statewide by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, GSCCCA). Here is who can apply, what it takes and what it costs, from the state's own rules, checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a notary in Georgia?
- At least 18 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident
- Legal resident of the county where you apply, or a resident of a bordering state who works or does business in the Georgia county of application
- Operating telephone number
- Able to read and write English
- Complete the GSCCCA notary training course
What are the Georgia notary requirements?
| Commissioned by | Clerk of Superior Court in the applicant's county (program administered statewide by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, GSCCCA) |
|---|---|
| Training required | Yes. Since January 1, 2025 (HB 1292), applicants must complete the free GSCCCA training course (elearn.gsccca.org) before the first appointment and within 30 days before each renewal, and bring the certificate of completion. |
| Exam required | GSCCCA pages do not mention a separate state exam; any test is part of the training course. |
| Surety bond | None stated by the state |
| Application fee | $40.00 - $55.00 (varies by county) |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Remote online notarization | The GSCCCA notary pages do not describe any remote online notarization authority; RON status under current law was not confirmed from an official source. |
Steps to become a notary in Georgia
- Complete the GSCCCA notary training course and print the certificate of completion
- Fill out the application online (participating counties) or get a paper form from your county Clerk of Superior Court
- Get two endorsers (character references from your county) to sign if required
- Take the signed application and training certificate to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county
- Pay the county fee and take the oath of office; the clerk issues your certificate of appointment
- Buy a notary seal (stamp or embosser) showing your name, 'Notary Public', county and state
Apply on the official Georgia site
How do you find a notary in Georgia?
- Banks, credit unions, shipping stores and law offices often have a notary on staff. Call ahead, because not every branch does.
- A mobile notary travels to you for a travel fee on top of the state's notarization fee.
- Bring a current government photo ID and the unsigned document. Don't sign it until the notary watches you.
- A notary checks your identity and witnesses your signature. They can't give legal advice or tell you what a document means unless they are also a lawyer.
- Check that a notary is commissioned on the official Georgia notary lookup.