Georgia allows nonresidents who own or regularly carry on a business or profession in the state to become notaries. They are commissioned for four years by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county. Notaries must notify this office of any change in address or name during the term of their commission.
What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a state-appointed person who performs a number of formal fraud-deterrent activities linked to the signing of vital documents. These official acts, called notarizations or notarial acts, are typically performed without the notary’s significant exercise of personal discretion. Because of the trust placed in notaries, they must uphold a high standard of integrity and professionalism.
To become a notary in Georgia, you must submit an application to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county of residence. You must also complete a notary training course and purchase your official seal of office. Upon approval, the Clerk of Superior Court will issue your commission for four years. Renewals are due three months prior to the expiration date.
In addition to being a trusted witness, notaries are authorized to guarantee (“attestation”) that signatures on legal documents are authentic. These documents include affidavits, deeds, mortgages, and contracts. Georgia law prohibits persons from being notaries if they have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors.
The primary purpose of notaries is to verify the authenticity of a document’s signature. Notaries also serve as legal witnesses in taking oaths and affirmations. They may also administer and certify various types of documents, such as certificates of incorporation and powers of attorney.
Notaries must be aware of state laws and regulations regarding the execution of their duties, as well as local rules and guidelines established by governing bodies. For example, notaries must follow rules for using a seal and identification cards. They must also adhere to state laws and regulations relating to the use of electronic signatures.
In some states, notaries are required to carry a notary errors and omissions insurance policy. Although a notary E&O policy is not required in Georgia, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every notary obtain a policy to protect themselves in case they are sued for unintentional errors or negligence.
To become a notary in Georgia, applicants must complete an application and provide a copy of their driver’s license or other valid photo ID. A background check is also required. The applicant must sign the application under oath and attest to it before a notary clerk. Two witnesses must also sign the application; both must be residents of the county where you apply to become a notary.
How to Become a Notary Public in Georgia
Becoming a Georgia Notary is an exciting and lucrative career opportunity. Lenders, law offices, hospitals, schools, and government agencies need documents notarized on a daily basis. You can work as much or as little as you want, with endless income opportunities. Learn how to become a notary public, get certified, and start your career with the Notary Signing Agent Blueprint.
To become a notary public in Georgia, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: 1. Be at least 18 years of age. 2. Complete the application for a notary public commission and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county of residence. 3. Pay the required filing fee and take an oath of office. 4. The clerk’s office will then issue your certificate of appointment as a notary public. 5. A notary public must keep a log of notarial actions and send written notice to the assigning clerk of superior court, with a duplicate to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, within 10 days of the loss or stolen of an official seal.
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements for becoming a notary, you must obtain the necessary supplies to perform your duties in Georgia. At The Notary’s Store, we offer a Georgia Notary Supply Package for new and renewing notaries, including your required Georgia notary stamp and journal at a special reduced price. We recommend that all notaries purchase Errors and Omissions insurance to limit their financial liability.
While the state of Georgia does not require Notaries to record every notarial act in a journal, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that all notaries keep one. The Georgia Notary Journal that we offer is a professionally designed journal with the features needed to comply with notary statutes in Georgia and protects against negligence claims.
Georgia currently does not allow Remote Online Notarization (RON), but eSignatures are still legal. Documents notarized in Georgia that are notarized in full compliance with the laws of the state of Georgia will be legally valid in all 50 states.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Notary Public in Georgia?
The state of Georgia does not require loan signing agents to have any specific type of education or training to become a notary. However, if you plan on growing your loan signing business and becoming an authority in the industry, you should consider taking a notary public training course. These courses are only a few hours long and can provide you with the knowledge and credentials you need to grow your career.
If you decide to become a notary public, the first step is to complete your county’s notary application. You can usually find the application online or pick one up from your local county clerk of superior court’s office. Once you have completed your application, submit it to the clerk of superior court for your county, pay the filing fee, and take the oath of office. The clerk’s office will then issue your notary commission. You must also purchase a notary seal, which can be a rubber stamp or embosser.
You must also keep a record of your notarial acts in a notary public journal. This will include the date, your name, and the seal of office. In addition, you must keep your commission certificate in your possession at all times. It is also against the law to imply that you have any powers, qualifications, or privileges not outlined in your commission. Finally, you must destroy your seal of office if you resign from the commission.
In order to perform notarial acts in the state of Georgia, you must have a notary public seal that bears your name and the words “Notary Public.” You may get this from an office supply company after presenting your original Certificate of Appointment to the appointing clerk of superior court and submitting a copy to the GSCCCA.
A notary public must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the United States. You must also reside or carry on a lawful occupation in the county where you apply to be a notary or resident of a county bordering Georgia and regularly conduct business within that county. You must also have two endorsers sign your application, stating that they live in the county of your application and know you for at least thirty days.
How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Georgia
The process for becoming a Notary Public and then registering to perform remote online notarizations varies by state. Generally, a Notary must first meet their state’s qualifications to become a traditional Notary. Next, they must register for RON by submitting any required materials to their Notary regulating official. This includes completing any RON-specific testing or training courses, buying a surety bond and E&O insurance policy covering RONs, and paying application filing fees.
In Georgia, the registration process is relatively simple. After completing all the necessary steps, the Notary Public will receive an email with their RON registration information. From there, they can begin performing remote online notarizations. In order to do so, the Notary must have a laptop computer or tablet with internet access and a webcam. They also need the appropriate software and a digital certificate that can be used as proof of identity. The Notary Public must have a stamp or embosser that meets the requirements set by the state.
Depending on their state’s regulations, some Notaries will also need to have a journal to record all of their notarial acts in. Their state’s laws determine the length of a Notary Public’s commission and may vary. However, most states allow Notaries to renew their commissions every four years.
If a Notary Public is no longer active, they must notify their appointing clerk of superior court within 30 days of their name, address, or telephone number change. In addition, a Notary must notify the governing authority of any educational or experience changes.
While RON is currently not permitted in Georgia, it will likely be made legal in the near future. In the meantime, traditional walk-in and mobile notary services are available to residents of the state. However, the convenience, security, and efficiency that RON offers over those services make it an excellent choice for anyone needing to notarize documents.
