The cost to become a notary in Georgia runs roughly $60 to $100 out of pocket. The two mandatory expenses are the county application fee ($40 to $55) and a notary seal ($20 to $40). Georgia does not require a surety bond, and the state’s training course is free, which keeps the entry cost lower than in many other states.
Application Fee
You pay the application fee directly to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where you apply. It ranges from $40 to $55 depending on the county, so call your local clerk’s office to confirm the exact amount before you go.1Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Notary Public Application Most offices take cash, checks, and money orders; some accept cards. The fee is generally non-refundable.
You’ll also take the oath of office in front of the clerk during the same visit. There’s no separate charge for it.2Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-3 – Oath of Office
Notary Seal
Once you’re commissioned, you need a seal to authenticate your notarial acts. Georgia accepts either a metal embosser or a rubber ink stamp, and it must show your name as it appears on your commission, the words “Notary Public,” the state, and your county of appointment.3Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-6 – Seal of Office Seals from office supply stores and notary vendors typically run $20 to $40.
Training Is Free
Every applicant must complete the state’s educational training course before an initial appointment. It’s offered online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) at no cost and covers Georgia notary law and procedures.4Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Online Training
There’s an optional final exam through the same portal for $2. Passing it earns a certificate that some employers ask for, but the law doesn’t require it.5Putnam County Clerk of Courts. Notary Training and Updates
Journal
As of January 1, 2025, Georgia notaries must keep a written or electronic journal for any notarial act performed at the request of a “self-filer” — someone who is personally a party to a recorded instrument (like a deed or lien) and is not acting through a licensed attorney, title insurance agent, mortgage lender, bank, or other professional representative.6Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-8 – Powers and Duties Generally7Justia. Georgia Code 44-2-2 – Duty of Clerk to Record Certain Instruments In practice, that’s individuals handling their own real estate filings without a closing attorney or title company.
Even when the rule doesn’t technically apply, keeping a journal for every notarization is a good habit. If a notarization is later challenged, your entry is the best evidence you followed procedure. Journals run about $10 to $25.
Optional Expenses
Georgia doesn’t require a surety bond, so you skip the $25 to $50 premium that notaries pay in many other states. A few optional costs are still worth weighing.
Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance covers you if a signer claims you made a mistake. A single negligence claim can be expensive to defend even when you did nothing wrong. Notary policies typically cost $40 to $100 a year.
Professional notary associations sell continuing education, legal updates, and supplies. Annual memberships generally run $20 to $70, which makes sense if you notarize often and your employer isn’t already providing resources.
What You Can Charge
Georgia caps notary fees at $2 per notarial act. If the act also requires you to attend on a person and certify proof, the combined maximum is $4. You aren’t required to charge anything, but if you do, you must tell the signer the fee before performing the act.8Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-11 – Fees of Notaries
At $2 per signature, notarizing won’t recoup your startup costs quickly. Most Georgia notaries get commissioned because their job requires it. Employers often reimburse the application fee and seal, so ask before paying out of pocket.
Renewal Cost
A Georgia notary commission lasts four years.9Justia. Georgia Code 45-17-5 – Term of Office, Revocation, Renewal of Commission Renewal costs the same $40 to $55 as the original application, and you have to retake the free training course within 30 days before your renewal date.1Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Notary Public Application If your commission lapses, you can’t renew — you start over as a new applicant. If your county of residence has changed, you’ll also need a new seal.
Total Cost
- Application fee: $40 to $55 (mandatory)
- Notary seal: $20 to $40 (mandatory)
- Training course: free; optional exam certificate $2
- Journal: $10 to $25 (required for self-filer notarizations, recommended for all)
- E&O insurance: $40 to $100 per year (optional)
- Surety bond: not required in Georgia
Sticking to only what’s mandatory puts a new Georgia notary at roughly $60 to $100 to get started. Adding a journal and E&O insurance brings the first-year total to about $110 to $225. Every four years, plan on another $40 to $55 for renewal, plus any replacement supplies.