Georgia Notary Application PDF: Steps, Fees, and Filing

To apply for a Georgia notary commission, complete the free training course from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), fill out the Georgia notary application on the GSCCCA website, gather two character endorsements, and file the printed packet in person with the Clerk of Superior Court in your county along with the appointment fee. You take the oath of office at the clerk’s counter, and the whole process usually wraps up in a single visit once your paperwork is ready.

Who Can Apply

Georgia law requires every applicant to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, a legal resident of the Georgia county where you’re applying, able to read and write English, and reachable by telephone.¹

There is one exception to the residency piece. If you live in a state that borders Georgia but work or operate a business here, you can apply in the county where you work instead of a Georgia county of residence. Every other qualification still applies, and you file with the clerk in that employment county.²

Step 1: Complete the Required Training

Before you can submit an application, you must finish a notary training course. This is true for first-time applicants and for anyone renewing. The GSCCCA offers a free web-based course covering Georgia notary law and basic notarial procedures. When you finish, you get a certificate of completion, and you’ll need to bring it to the clerk’s office with your application.³

Skipping this is the fastest way to waste a trip. Print the certificate or have it ready to show before you go.

Step 2: Fill Out the Application Online

Most Georgia counties use the GSCCCA’s web-based application system. Go to the GSCCCA website, select your county, and choose whether you’re applying for a new commission or renewing. The prompts walk you through your personal information, residential address, and employment details. After you submit online, you print the packet, which includes the endorsement forms you’ll need signed.⁴

If your county doesn’t participate in the web-based system, contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly for a paper application.⁴

Step 3: Get Two Endorsements and Sign the Declaration

First-time applicants need endorsements from two people who can vouch for your integrity and moral character. Each endorser must be at least 18, a legal resident of the county where you’re applying, unrelated to you, and someone who has known you for at least one month. Each signs a statement declaring you are a person of integrity capable of performing notarial acts.⁵

You’ll also sign a sworn declaration confirming that your application is truthful. That declaration requires you to disclose any prior notary commission denials, revocations, suspensions, restrictions, or resignations. A past issue does not necessarily disqualify you, but failing to disclose it is grounds for denial on its own.⁵

Some counties also require a certified criminal background check from a local law enforcement agency, generally no more than 30 days old. Because this varies, call your clerk’s office before your visit so you know exactly what to bring.

Step 4: File With the Clerk of Superior Court

Once the printed application has both endorser signatures, your training certificate is in hand, and you’ve gathered any county-specific documents like proof of residency or a background check, you bring everything to the Clerk of Superior Court in person. The clerk reviews the packet for completeness and confirms you meet the statutory requirements.⁴

Fees and Payment

The appointment fee for a new commission or a renewal ranges from $40 to $55 depending on the county. Confirm the exact amount with your clerk. Accepted payment methods vary but commonly include cash, money orders, and business checks. Some counties accept credit or debit cards with a processing surcharge, and many will not accept personal checks.³

Oath of Office

After the clerk approves your application and you pay the fee, you take the oath of office right there at the counter. The oath confirms your commitment to faithfully perform your duties under Georgia law. The clerk issues your notary certificate of appointment, which is your official proof of authority. Your commission runs for four years from the date of appointment.⁶

Get Your Seal Before You Notarize

Once you have your commission, you must obtain an official seal before performing any notarial acts. Georgia law requires the seal to include your name, the words “Notary Public,” your county of appointment, and the state name. A rubber stamp or similar ink stamp meets this requirement, and an embossed seal is allowed but not mandatory.⁷

Every notarial act you perform must be accompanied by your seal. The state does not provide it; you buy it from a notary supply vendor. Georgia does not require notaries to carry a surety bond, though some notaries choose to purchase errors-and-omissions insurance for their own protection.

Journal Requirement for Self-Filer Real Estate Transactions

As of January 1, 2025, Georgia notaries must keep a written or electronic journal for notarial acts performed at the request of a self-filer, meaning someone who brings in their own real estate documents for notarization rather than working through an attorney or title company. Each entry must record the self-filer’s name, address, and telephone number, the date and time of the notarization, the type of identification presented, and the type of document notarized.⁷

This catches many new notaries off guard because Georgia historically did not require a journal. If you plan to notarize real estate documents for walk-in clients, set up your journal from day one.

Renewal in Four Years

Your commission does not renew automatically. To keep serving, you must petition the clerk for renewal before your term expires. Renewal applicants have to complete the training course again and submit a new application with the same fee. Depending on the county, the clerk may handle renewals in person or by mail.⁶

1
Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-2 – Qualifications of Notaries
2
FindLaw. Georgia Code 45-17-7 – Nonresident Notary
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Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. General Notary Information
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Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Notary Public Application
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Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-2.1 – Application to Be a Notary; Endorsements and Declarations
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Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-5 – Term of Office; Revocation
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Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Georgia Notary Law