How to Become a Notary in Georgia: A Guide for Notary Signing Agents

What are the requirements to become a notary public in Georgia?

Georgia allows residents of the state and bordering states to become Georgia notaries.

A Non-Georgia resident of a bordering state must own a business in Georgia or have a regular place of employment in Georgia. Georgia borders Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Here are the basic qualifications for Georgia notaries:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must either be a citizen or a legal resident of the United States.
• You must live in the same county as where you are applying. If you live in a different state than Georgia, you must live in a state that borders Georgia. You must also have a job in Georgia or be employed regularly in the county of the application.
• The applicant must have, and provide at the time of application, a working telephone number.
• Be able to read and write English.

Do Georgia notaries need a background check?

A third-party background check is not required because the Clerk of Superior Court will automatically look at the applicant’s criminal history to determine if the applicant is qualified to become a Georgia notary public. This ensures that a notary is a trustworthy person that can accurately check a signer’s identity

and perform notarial acts. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The application can be denied for any of the following reasons:

• Criminal history
• Unfortunately, if you once had a notary public commission or professional license and it was revoked in Georgia or any other state, then you are ineligible to become a notary in Georgia.
• Georgia Code Section 45-17-15(a) enumerates certain acts which will result in the commission’s suspension or revocation, regardless of whether criminal penalties have been imposed. An application may be denied if these acts were committed in Georgia or any other state.
• The applicant has been found to have practiced law without a license by the State Bar of Georgia, a court of Georgia, or any other state court.

If the Clerk of Superior Court denies an applicant a notarial commission or recommission, the applicant may ask for a hearing. The hearing will be before the Superior Court Clerk. If the applicant disagrees with the decision after the hearing, they may appeal to the Superior Court. This means the court can hear their case again without a jury present.

Where do I apply to become a Georgia notary?

Complete a notary public application on the state’s online system on the Superior Court website and bring it to your county’s Georgia Clerk of Superior Court.

If you live in a neighboring state that borders Georgia, you will apply to the county in Georgia where you have a regular place of employment.

What are the steps to apply to become a Georgia notary?

1. To become a Georgia notary public, you must complete an online notary commission application and take it to the Clerk of Superior Court in your county.
2. You must pay the application fee and take an oath of office.
3. The Georgia county clerk’s office issues a notary certificate of appointment.
4. Purchase a notary seal (also known as a notary stamp).

You will need two character endorsements as part of your notary commission application to become a notary public in Georgia. These endorsements must include information about the person giving the endorsement, and that person cannot be a family member or your employer. The person giving the endorsement must also be 18 years old and a resident of the county where you are applying.

What are the steps to renew a Georgia notary comission?

The steps are the same as the original application. The only difference is that you can use your old notary seal/stamp rather than purchasing a new one if the information on it is the same as your new commission.

How much does it cost to become a notary in GA?

The registration fee for applying to become a new notary or renew your Georgia notary commission is $36.00 – $51.00, depending on the Georgia county in which you are applying.

You’ll also need to purchase a notary stamp/notary seal

Does Georgia require notaries public to receive a surety bond?

Unlike many other states, Georgia notary law does not require Georgia notaries to purchase a surety bond.

Does Georgia require a notary training course?

Georgia does not require that notaries complete a notary training course, but the state does offer a free course on its website and recommends that potential notaries complete the course before applying.

Do Georgia notaries need to keep a notary journal?

Georgia does not require notaries to keep and record notarial acts in a notary journal, but most notary organizations recommend that all notaries keep a journal regardless of whether the state requires one.

This ensures that notaries have a record of all the acts they perform. This record can serve as legal protection for the notary.

Do you have to take a test to become a notary in GA?

No, there is no test o exam required to become a notary in Georgia.

How long is a notary commission in Georgia?

Georgia notaries public are commissioned for a four-year term. The commission can be renewed by following a process similar to the original application.

How much can a notary charge in Georgia?

Georgia notaries can charge $2 per notarial act.

Can mobile notaries in Georgia charge travel fees?

Yes, mobile notaries in Georgia can charge travel fees. It’s recommended to give itemized receipts whenever extra fees are charged so that the signer knows they did not pay more than the state’s maximum fee for the notarization.

Does Georgia allow notaries to perform remote online notarization?

Through the signing of Executive Order 06.30.21.02, Georgia has temporarily allowed remote notarization services in a restricted manner through emergency rules.

What notarial acts can a Georgia notary perform?

• Affirm the authenticity of signatures and documents through witnessing or attestation.
• Take acknowledgments
• Commercial officers must administer oaths and affirmations for all matters related to their position, as well as any other sworn statements that a specific officer does not legally mandate.
• Witness and administer oaths or affirmations of affidavits
• Administer sworn or affirmed verifications
• You can make certified copies of documents as long as they are originals and not public records. This means that the notary saw you make the photocopies.

How much money does a notary make in Georgia?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay of a notary in Georgia is $47,751. According to the same site, the average annual pay of a notary who becomes a Notary Signing Agent is $75,767, with the highest being $153,718. ¹

Can you be a notary signing agent in Georgia?

Yes, you can become a notary signing agent in Georgia and earn more money with an active notary commission. Although Georgia is an attorney state (meaning a closing attorney has to be involved with the signing of loan documents), Georgia Notary Signing agents can still get a lot of loan-signing business from escrow companies and financial institutions for loan closings that originate in other states.

Many loan signing agents have built a significant loan signing career in attorney states with the right Georgia signing agent training course.

How to Become a Notary Signing Agent and Notarize Loan Documents

To become a notary signing agent in Georgia, you must already have an active notary commission. You can take additional courses to learn about loan document signings, get certified as a Notary Signing Agent, and learn how to market your services. You will also need to understand all of the loan documents’ requirements and ensure you are adequately prepared for each signing.

When you have completed all the necessary steps, you will be ready to start offering your services as a Notary Signing Agent in Georgia.

You can then find loan signings through escrow companies and financial institutions that originate loans from other states.

It is important to remember that when you are a Notary Signing Agent in Georgia, you must still abide by the laws of your state and any other state’s requirements when handling loan document signings. The state requires attorney involvement for real estate transactions, but many Georgia notaries become successful signing agents.

Many notaries and signing agents in Georgia can potentially create a lucrative career if they follow all the required rules and regulations. With proper training and understanding, anyone with an active notary commission in the state can become a successful Notary Signing Agent in Georgia.

How to Complete a Loan Signing in Georgia

Completing a loan signing in Georgia begins with the borrower and an escrow or financial institution. Sometimes the process is managed by a signing service company.

The borrower will need to bring their identification documents and any other documents required for the loan contract to the signing appointment. Once these documents are verified, you can begin notarizing any signatures that need to be completed.

As a notary signing agent in Georgia, you must verify the identity of every borrower and witness before completing their signatures. You then must ensure that all documents are properly signed, dated, and completed. Once done, you can attach your seal or stamp to the document. Finally, you must return all completed loan documents to the escrow or financial institution. The company that gave you the signing will pay your appointment fee.

Notary Signing Agents in Georgia are essential to the mortgage industry and loan process. They must always adhere to their state’s laws and regulations while performing notarial acts.

How much does a loan signing agent make in Georgia?

The amount a loan signing agent can make in Georgia will depend on how many loan closings they perform each month. On average, experienced notary signing agents in Georgia earn between $75 and $200 per appointment. Some may even charge more depending on the complexity of the documents being notarized.

In addition to their appointment fees, Notary Signing Agents in Georgia may receive additional fees for travel, mileage, and other miscellaneous expenses when appropriate.

The most successful Notary Signing Agents can earn over $100k per year.

Are loan signing agents in demand in Georgia?

Yes, loan signing agents are in demand in Georgia due to the high volume of mortgage and real estate transactions within the state. As a result, many financial institutions, escrow companies, title companies, and real estate attorneys rely on Notary Signing Agents to perform loan document closings.

In conclusion, it is essential to remember that being a Notary Signing Agent in Georgia requires attention to detail, an understanding of the loan process and notarial acts, as well as completing all necessary steps correctly. With the right training and dedication, anyone with an active notary commission in Georgia can build a successful loan signing career.

1. Site accessed January 10, 2023.