Georgia is the rare state with strict requirements (mandatory training, 90% exam, character references) but no bond and no statewide commissioning authority — applications go through your county Clerk of Superior Court.
To be commissioned as a notary public in Georgia, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Source: Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 45, Chapter 17. Notary commissions are issued by the County Clerk of Superior Court, with statewide oversight by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA).
Georgia is one of the more affordable states. $80–$200 total. No bond required, and the state-set fee is just $40–$55 (varies by county).
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory training course | $0–$50 | Yes | Available free at eLearn.gsccca.org (state-provided) or paid alternatives. |
| Exam fee | Included in training | Yes | Bundled with training course. 90% pass score required. |
| Application fee | $40–$55 | Yes | Set by county. Effective July 1, 2024, range is $40–$55. Paid to County Clerk of Superior Court. |
| Surety bond | Not required | No | Georgia is one of about 20 states without a bond requirement. |
| Notary stamp/seal | $20–$40 | Yes | Must include name, "Notary Public," county, and commission expiration date. |
| Notary journal | $15–$30 | Recommended | Required for certain acts (e.g., self-filed property documents). Recommended for all. |
| E&O insurance | $25–$60/yr | Optional | Strongly recommended since no bond protection exists. |
| Realistic total | $80–$200 | Lower end uses free state training and skips optional E&O. Many county clerks process applications same-day if you arrive before 4:30 PM with all materials ready. |
Since Georgia doesn't require a bond, your main purchases are stamp, journal, and optional E&O. Three providers:
Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Smoothquill may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend providers we'd use ourselves.
Georgia's process is uniquely county-administered. Start to finish, expect 2–4 weeks. The mandatory training (effective Jan 1, 2025) and 90% exam are the main time commitments — the actual filing can often happen same-day at your county clerk's office.
Effective January 1, 2025, all new and renewing Georgia notaries must complete a state-approved training course covering O.C.G.A. Title 45, Chapter 17. The course is available free at eLearn.gsccca.org.
The free state-provided course is generally sufficient and runs about 1–2 hours of content. Paid alternatives ($25–$50) are available from approved providers if you prefer a more interactive experience. The course must be completed within 30 days prior to your renewal appointment, or before your initial appointment.
After completing training, you'll take the notary exam (typically bundled with the course). Georgia's 90% pass score is one of the highest in the country. Topics: notarial acts, identity verification, the $2 maximum fee cap, journal requirements, and physical-presence rules.
Most candidates pass on their first attempt with focused preparation. The exam is offered through the GSCCCA portal and through approved training providers. Attorneys admitted to the Georgia Bar are exempt from the exam (but still must complete the training course).
Georgia is one of the few states that requires endorser signatures (character references) on your notary application. Two endorsers must sign, attesting to your good character and qualifications.
Endorsers must be Georgia residents who have known you personally for a meaningful period. They can be friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members (though family endorsements may face additional scrutiny in some counties). The application form has a designated space for endorser signatures and contact info.
Bring your completed application, training certificate, exam results, endorser signatures, and the application fee ($40–$55, varies by county) to your county's Clerk of Superior Court office. You must arrive before 4:30 PM for same-day processing.
Georgia notary commissions are county-administered, not state-administered. Your county Clerk of Superior Court issues the commission. If you're a non-resident from a bordering state (AL, FL, NC, SC, TN), apply in the Georgia county where you work or own a business. Bring valid government ID.
Once your application is approved (typically same-day or within a few business days), you'll take the oath of office at the County Clerk's office. Your commission certificate is issued at that time. Order your notary stamp from any vendor that meets Georgia's requirements.
Georgia stamps must include your name, "Notary Public," your county, and your commission expiration date. Max fee per notarial act in Georgia is $2 — one of the lowest in the country. Important: Georgia does NOT permit Remote Online Notarization. Physical presence is required for all notarial acts.
Apply to Smoothquill →Georgia notaries perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, and protests. Physical presence is required — Georgia is one of the only states that does NOT authorize Remote Online Notarization. The Atlanta metro is one of the largest notary markets in the South, with strong demand from real estate, immigration legal services, and corporate compliance. Georgia's $2 max fee cap is among the lowest in the country, but the absence of bond and education-related costs keeps overall barriers low.
Georgia's $2 per-act cap is the lowest of any state we cover. Real income comes from the loan signing market in the Atlanta metro ($75–$200 per signing) and travel fees (uncapped). Without RON, GA notaries cannot tap remote markets the way states like Texas or Florida can.
Income estimates are based on the National Notary Association's annual notary income surveys, BLS data for legal services workers, and reported earnings from active notary marketplaces. Your actual income depends on market density, hours worked, and whether you certify as a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) for loan signing work.
Georgia is one of the only states in the country that does NOT authorize Remote Online Notarization. Physical presence of the signer is required for all notarial acts in Georgia. This puts GA notaries at a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring states (FL, NC, SC, TN, AL all permit RON). If RON authorization is important to your business plans, consider commissioning in an adjacent state where it's permitted.
Georgia commissions last 4 years. Renewal requires retaking the mandatory training course (effective Jan 1, 2025), passing the exam again, and re-applying at the county Clerk of Superior Court with new endorser signatures and the $40–$55 fee. Renewals can be filed in the months leading up to expiration.
Endorser signatures are a holdover from Georgia's historical practice of county-administered notary commissions, where the county clerk wanted local attestation of an applicant's character. Two endorsers (any GA residents who know you) sign the application. It's a quick step but unique to Georgia.
Georgia has not passed legislation authorizing Remote Online Notarization. Multiple bills have been proposed but none have passed as of 2026. Physical presence of the signer is required for all notarial acts. If RON is important to your practice, consider commissioning in FL, NC, SC, TN, or AL — all neighboring states that allow RON.
Apply in the Georgia county where you live (if a GA resident). If you're a non-resident from a bordering state (AL, FL, NC, SC, TN), apply in the Georgia county where you work or own a business. You can only apply in one county at a time.
Georgia's max notarial fee is $2 per act — the lowest among major states. The state has not raised it in decades. Most GA notaries make their actual income from travel fees (uncapped) or loan signing work ($75–$200 per closing through certification with NNA or similar).
Yes. The mandatory training requirement (effective January 1, 2025) applies to both new commissions and renewals. The training is free at eLearn.gsccca.org and runs 1–2 hours.
Yes. Most Georgia county Clerks of Superior Court process notary applications same-day if you arrive before 4:30 PM with all required materials (application, training certificate, exam results, endorser signatures, fee, and ID). This is one of the fastest commissioning processes in the country once you've finished the prerequisites.
Georgia doesn't have to be complicated. Buy the bond, complete the steps, and you're commissioned in 2–4 weeks.
See bond options →Affiliate links — see disclosure below.