Do you need a bond to be a notary in Georgia?

No. Georgia does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

Is training required to become a Georgia notary?

Yes. Since January 1, 2025 all new and renewing notaries must complete a GSCCCA course and pass its exam at 90%, with Georgia Bar attorneys exempt.

How much can a Georgia notary charge?

Up to $2 per notarial act, one of the lowest caps in the country. Travel fees for mobile work are separate from that amount.

Why do you apply at the Clerk of Superior Court instead of the state?

Georgia commissions notaries at the county level through the Clerk of Superior Court, with the GSCCCA providing statewide oversight rather than issuing commissions itself.

How long does a Georgia notary commission last?

Four years. You must complete the training again and reapply at your county before it expires to renew.

How to Become a Notary in Georgia (2026): Steps, Cost & 2025 Training

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Georgia notary rules are set in Title 45, Chapter 17 of the Official Code and vary by county, so confirm the details with your county Clerk of Superior Court and the GSCCCA before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Georgia you must be 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and live or work in the county where you apply. Since January 1, 2025 you must complete a GSCCCA training course and pass its exam at 90%, then apply at your county Clerk of Superior Court, who appoints you for four years. There is no bond, the fee runs about $40 to $55 depending on the county, and Georgia caps your fee at $2 per act. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Georgia?

Becoming a Georgia notary is inexpensive, usually $80 to $110, because there is no bond. The main variable is the county appointment fee, which runs about $40 to $55 and is set locally, plus the small GSCCCA training fee, your stamp, and any county-specific background check. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Georgia?

You become a Georgia notary by completing the state training course and applying at your county Clerk of Superior Court. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and a resident of the county where you apply, or a bordering-state resident who works in Georgia.
Complete the GSCCCA training and exam. Take the approved course online and pass its exam at 90%, then save your certificate; attorneys admitted to the Georgia Bar are exempt from the training.
Gather your application materials. Complete the application, line up any character witnesses your county requires, and obtain a local background check if your county asks for one.
Apply at your county Clerk of Superior Court. Submit the application and certificate with the county fee, which is about $40 to $55, online or in person.
Take your oath and equip yourself. Take the oath at the Clerk's office to receive your commission, then get your seal and a journal for the acts that require one.

What changed for Georgia notaries in 2025?

The biggest change is that training is now mandatory: effective January 1, 2025, under House Bill 1292, every new and renewing Georgia notary must complete a GSCCCA-approved course and pass its exam at 90% before being appointed. For years Georgia required no course at all, so this is the detail that trips up applicants who rely on older guides. Renewing notaries must complete the training within 30 days before their renewal appointment, and Georgia Bar attorneys are exempt from the course.

Who appoints notaries in Georgia, and where do you apply?

Georgia notaries are appointed by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence, not by the Secretary of State, which surprises people moving from other states. You apply in the county where you live, and only a resident of a bordering state who works in Georgia may instead apply in the county where they are employed. Statewide oversight comes from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, but the appointment, fee, and oath all happen at the county level.

What are the requirements to become a Georgia notary?

The Georgia requirements are light on paperwork but now include training and some county-specific steps. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, able to read and write English, of good character, and a resident of the county where you apply. Beyond the mandatory GSCCCA course, some counties ask for character witnesses who live in your county to sign the application, and a few require a local law enforcement background check. Georgia does not require a bond, though errors and omissions insurance is available.

How do you renew or notarize online in Georgia?

You renew by retaking the GSCCCA training within 30 days before your four-year commission expires and reapplying at your county Clerk of Superior Court with the county fee. Renewals must be processed before the current commission expires, and a notary cannot perform acts after expiration. Georgia also authorizes remote online notarization, so once commissioned you can register to notarize by audio-video, while keeping the journal Georgia requires for certain acts such as self-filed real estate documents.

Becoming a Georgia notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Georgia?: No. Georgia does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
Is training required to become a Georgia notary?: Yes. Since January 1, 2025 all new and renewing notaries must complete a GSCCCA course and pass its exam at 90%, with Georgia Bar attorneys exempt.
How much can a Georgia notary charge?: Up to $2 per notarial act, one of the lowest caps in the country. Travel fees for mobile work are separate from that amount.
Why do you apply at the Clerk of Superior Court instead of the state?: Georgia commissions notaries at the county level through the Clerk of Superior Court, with the GSCCCA providing statewide oversight rather than issuing commissions itself.
How long does a Georgia notary commission last?: Four years. You must complete the training again and reapply at your county before it expires to renew.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), Notary Division; Official Code of Georgia Annotated Title 45, Chapter 17; and House Bill 1292 (2024). County fees and steps vary; confirm with your county Clerk of Superior Court before applying.