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How to become a notary public in Georgia

Georgia licenses notaries statewide through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA).1 The board lists $40 to $55 for the application (New appointment and reappointment)2, $55 for the application (Fulton County applicants)3 and $52 for the application (Gwinnett County applicants)4, each a separate charge. You renew every 4 years2.

Last checked · 11 official sources

Who issues it

Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)

Training and experience

An approved education program; see the requirements

Exam

Not required2

Fees the board lists

Application fee (New appointment and reappointment): $40 to $552
Application fee (Fulton County applicants): $553
Application fee (Gwinnett County applicants): $524
Application fee (DeKalb County applicants): $545

Renewal

Every 4 years2

From another state

No reciprocity route2

On this page
  1. Who needs a Notary Public license
  2. Requirements for a Notary Public license
  3. How much a Notary Public license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Georgia with a license from another state
  7. City and county rules
  8. Check a license or report a problem
  9. Laws and rules
  10. Rule changes since January 2024
  11. Common questions
  12. Notary public licenses in other states

Who needs a Notary Public license

Georgia notaries may act anywhere in Georgia: attest signatures, take acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, witness affidavits, take verifications and make certified copies of certain original documents. They may not perform marriages.2

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • From January 1, 2025 a notary must keep a written or electronic journal entry for each notarial act performed for a self-filer.1

Requirements for a Notary Public license

Minimum age
18 years old2
Education or training
GSCCCA notary training course (free, online at elearn.gsccca.org); print the Certificate of Completion and submit it with the application. Required before the initial appointment and within 30 days before each renewal (from January 1, 2025).6
Who may teach it: Any notary training used for appointment must be approved by GSCCCA; GSCCCA offers its own free web-based course.7
Exam
Not required2
Background check
No background check stated as required2
Two non-related endorsers who live in the county must vouch for the applicant's integrity and good moral character; the clerk may revoke a commission or deny reappointment. Fulton County additionally requires a certified criminal background check.2
Residency or citizenship
US citizen or legal resident of the US; legal resident of the county of application. Residents of a bordering state may apply in the Georgia county where they are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession.2
Also required
Two endorsers (character references): not related to you, 18 or older, living in the county of application, and have known you for more than 30 days.2
Also required
Provide an operating telephone number at the time of application.2
Also required
Take the oath of office at the clerk's office when paying the fee.2
Also required
Buy a seal (embosser or rubber ink stamp) showing your name as commissioned, "Notary Public", "Georgia" or "GA", and the county of commission.2
Also required
Report a change of name, address or telephone number in writing to the appointing clerk within 30 days, with a copy to GSCCCA; report a lost or stolen seal within 10 days.2
Also required
Georgia does not issue notary commission numbers.2

How much a Notary Public license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$40 to $552GSCCCANew appointment and reappointment; exact amount set by each county
Application fee$553GSCCCAThe fee for a notary commission. Fulton County applicants (new and in-person renewal)
Application fee$524GSCCCAGwinnett County applicants (new and renewal, in person or by mail)
Application fee$545GSCCCADeKalb County applicants (new and walk-in renewal)
Mail-in renewal processing fee$5.895GSCCCADeKalb County mail-in renewal

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

What a notary public may charge the public:

  • Maximum fee a Georgia notary may charge: $2.00 per notarial act (plus $2.00, on request, for a clerk's certificate of the commission). Charging is optional, but the fee must be disclosed first.1

How to apply

  1. Complete the free GSCCCA online notary training course and print the Certificate of Completion.2 elearn.gsccca.org2
  2. Fill in the web-based application for your county (or get a paper application from the clerk if your county is not listed), print it, and have your two endorsers sign it.8 apps.gsccca.org8
  3. 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.8
  4. Receive the certificate of appointment, then buy a seal (embosser or ink stamp) with the required elements.2
Apply online
apps.gsccca.org6

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 4 years2
When it expires
Four-year term. Renew (reappointment) no more than 30 days before expiry, in the county where you hold the active commission; the training must be repeated within the 30 days before each renewal.2
Renewal fee
$40 to $552
Required topics
Repeat the GSCCCA-approved notary training (Georgia notary law and procedures) and present the certificate with the renewal application.7
Approved courses
Training must be approved by GSCCCA.7
If it expires
An expired commission cannot be renewed; apply as a new applicant (the rules treat the first appointment after expiry as an initial appointment).7
If you move to another county, the commission stays in the original county until it expires; then apply in the new county of residence.2
Renew online
apps.gsccca.org2

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Georgia Notary Public (Georgia notary commission / appointment). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes GSCCCA publishes for the Notary Public license.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity: Georgia does not recognize other states' notary commissions. Residents of a state bordering Georgia may apply for a Georgia appointment if they are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession in Georgia, applying in that county.2
Conditions
Border-state applicants must meet the same age, citizenship/legal-residence, English, telephone and training requirements.2
Gwinnett County asks border-state applicants for their resident-state driver's license and an employer letter on letterhead.4

City and county rules

Apply to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county of residence (border-state residents: the county where they work or have a business). Check the county's exact fee and document list.2

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Fulton County (Atlanta)Fee $55 ($60 for renewal by mail). All applicants, new and renewal, must also submit a certified criminal background check from a local law-enforcement agency, no older than 30 days, plus proof of Fulton residency and the training certificate.3Official page3
Gwinnett CountyFee $52 (credit cards carry a 2.45% service fee). New applicants must appear in person; border-state applicants also need an employer letter. Renewals (including by mail) within 30 days before expiry; an expired commission needs a new application.4Official page4
DeKalb CountyFee $54 new or renewal (card surcharge 2% + $1.00; personal checks not accepted). Mail-in renewal: $54 plus a $5.89 processing fee, card only. Two DeKalb-resident endorsers and proof of residence for new applications.5Official page5
Cobb CountyAll applicants, new and renewal, must submit a certified criminal background check from local law enforcement, no older than 30 days. Applications must be signed in front of the Clerk's Notary Administrator. Renewal applies only to a current Cobb appointment. The page shows no fee (GSCCCA range $40.00 - $55.00).9Official page9

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a notary public in Georgia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Georgia is on the Georgia license lookup page.

Look up a license
search.gsccca.org2

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • January 1, 2025: HB 1292 (2024) took effect: notaries must complete GSCCCA-approved training before the initial appointment and within 30 days before each renewal, and must keep a journal for acts performed for self-filers.10
  • May 2, 2024: HB 1292 signed by the Governor (Act 549).11

Common questions

Can I transfer my notary public license to Georgia?

No reciprocity: Georgia does not recognize other states' notary commissions. Residents of a state bordering Georgia may apply for a Georgia appointment if they are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession in Georgia, applying in that county.2 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Notary Public license in Georgia?

Every 4 years2. The renewal fee is $40 to $552.

Notary public licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Georgia Notary Law summaryGeorgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative AuthorityChecked November 6, 2026
  2. General Notary Information and Notary Public FAQGeorgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative AuthorityChecked November 6, 2026
  3. Fulton County Clerk notary pageFulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate CourtsChecked November 6, 2026
  4. Gwinnett Clerk notary public pageGwinnett County Clerk of Superior CourtChecked November 6, 2026
  5. DeKalb Clerk Notary Application ProcessDeKalb County Clerk of Superior CourtChecked November 6, 2026
  6. Georgia Notary Files and FormsGeorgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative AuthorityChecked November 6, 2026
  7. Notary Public Educational Rules for the State of Georgia, Version October 9, 2024, effective January 1, 2025Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative AuthorityDated October 9, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
  8. Notary Public Application Form pageGeorgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative AuthorityChecked November 6, 2026
  9. Cobb Clerk notary public pageCobb County Clerk of Superior CourtChecked November 6, 2026
  10. HB 1292 (2024) as passed (HB 1292/AP), amending O.C.G.A. 45-17-8Georgia General AssemblyChecked November 6, 2026
  11. HB 1292 (2023-2024 Regular Session) status pageGeorgia General AssemblyChecked November 6, 2026