Contents
In order to become a Notary in the state of Georgia, you must follow these steps: first, you must complete an application through the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
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Introduction
A notary public is an individual commissioned by the state to serve the public as an unbiased witness when important documents are signed. A notary’s primary duty is to prevent fraud and ensure that the signers of documents are who they say they are. Notaries can also certify copies of documents as being true copies of the original document.
Becoming a notary in Georgia is a three-step process:
1) Complete a notary training course
2) Submit a notary application to the county Probate Court
3) Take the oath of office and purchase a surety bond
Notaries in Georgia must be at least 18 years old and must reside in the state or maintain a principal place of business in Georgia.
What is a Notary?
A notary is a public officer whoAcknowledges or certifies documents and administersoaths. In Georgia, the statewide notary Act (O.C.G.A. Article 3, Chapter 8) was enacted in 1983 and sets forth the duties, powers, and responsibilities of notaries public in Georgia. The requirements for becoming a notary and performing notarial acts are also set forth in this Act.
A notary’s primary duty is to prevent fraud by ensuring that the person signing a document is who they say they are and that they understand what they are signing. Notaries also deter fraud by keeping an accurate journal of every notarial act performed. This journal serves as evidence of the document signer’s identity and the date and place of the signing, which helps to prevent backdating or other illegal alterations to documents.
The Notary Commission
To become a Notary in the State of Georgia, you must first apply for and receive a Notary Commission from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The application process is simple and can be completed online. Once you have received your commission, you will be able to legally notarize documents in the state of Georgia.
Applying for a Notary Commission
In order to become a notary in the state of Georgia, you must first apply for a notary commission through the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The application must be signed by the applicant and notarized.
It is important to note that you cannot notarize your own signature on the application. The application must be accompanied by a $15 filing fee, a $10,000 surety bond, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The surety bond must be obtained from a surety company that is authorized to do business in the state of Georgia. The bond must be in the amount of $10,000 and must name the Secretary of State as the obligee.
Once the completed application, filing fee, and bond are received by the Secretary of State’s office, a commission certificate will be mailed to the applicant. The commission certificate will contain information on how to access an online Notary Public Handbook, which contains important information on Georgia notarial laws and procedures.
Renewing or Expiring a Notary Commission
If your notary commission is about to expire or has already expired, you can renew it by submitting a Notary Public Renewal Application to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The application must be received by the office no later than the expiration date of your commission.
Notary Fees
Notary fees in Georgia are set by law and are the same throughout the state. The minimum notary fee in Georgia is $5.00 per notarized signature. Notaries are allowed to charge more than the minimum fee, but they cannot charge less.
Notary Records
In Georgia, a notary is a public officer appointed by the Superior Court to serve as an impartial witness in the execution of legal documents and to administer oaths. The notary’s signature and official seal on a document certify that the person signing the document was properly identified and that he or she executed the document as indicated.
A notary does not provide legal advice or accept fees for preparing documents. Anyone requesting a notarization should already have the document prepared before coming to see the notary.
Becoming a Notary in Georgia
The first step in becoming a notary in Georgia is to submit an application to the county probate judge in the county of your residence. The probate judge will review your application and, if you are found to be qualified, will appoint you as a notary for a four-year term. There is no charge for becoming a notary in Georgia.
Notaries in Georgia must be at least 18 years old and must be residents of Georgia or employed full-time in Georgia. A Notary must also have access to a computer with printer and reliable internet service in order to maintain an online Notary journal as required by state law.
Notaries are required by law to maintain a journal of all official acts performed as a Notary. The journal must be maintained electronically in an approved format and must be accessible by the public during regular business hours.
A Notary may charge a fee of up to $10 per signature for performing any official act authorized by law, but is prohibited from charging any fee for verifying the identity of any signer who is personally known to the Notary or who presents valid photo ID.
Notary Education
Anyone interested in becoming a notary public in Georgia must first complete an approved Notary Public education program. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office offers an online course that satisfies this requirement.
After completing the education requirement, applicants must submit a notary application to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The application must be accompanied by a $50 filing fee and a completed bonding agreement.
Notaries public in Georgia are appointed for a four-year term.
Notary Ethics
Notaries are required to comply with a strict code of ethics. Some of the most important ethics for notaries are; not allowing their personal beliefs to interfere with their work, not completing a notarization if the signer is impaired in any way, never sharing confidential information about the signer, and being unbiased and impartial while completing a notarization. Violating any of these ethical standards could result in the notary having their commission revoked.
Notarizing a Document
The Georgia notary public commission is valid for four years. A notary public in Georgia must be a resident of the state or have a principal place of employment in Georgia. The following steps must be completed in order to become a notary public in Georgia:
1. Submit an application to the Probate Court in the county of your residence or employment.
2. You will then be scheduled for an appointment with the probate judge where you will take the Oath of Office and pay a $37 fee.
3. After being sworn in, you will be able to purchase a notary stamp and register your signature with the probate court.
Notarizing a Signature
In order to notarize a signature, the signer must be present to sign the document in front of the notary. The notary must witness the signer’s signature. The notary will then sign the document and stamp it with their official seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to become a notary in Georgia?
The cost to become a notary in Georgia is $75. This fee covers the cost of the notary application, the surety bond, and the certification from the Secretary of State.
2. How long does it take to become a notary in Georgia?
The entire process of becoming a notary in Georgia can be completed in about two weeks. However, it is important to note that the soonest you can file your application is six months before your current term as a notary expires.
3. What are the requirements to become a notary in Georgia?
In order to become a notary in Georgia, you must: be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Georgia, have no felony convictions, and have completed an approved notary course. Additionally, you must purchase a $7,500 surety bond and file an application with the Secretary of State’s office.
4. What are the duties of a notary in Georgia?
A notary’s duties include: witnessing signatures on documents, taking acknowledgments of documents, administering oaths and affirmations, and certifying copies of documents.
