Georgia (GA)
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Research Georgia notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Georgia notary details against the official state database.
Visit Georgia Official Notary Database
How to Research a Georgia Notary
1. Go to https://search.gsccca.org/notary/search.asp
2. Enter the notary's name in the Name field.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission details match.
2. Enter the notary's name in the Name field.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission details match.
How to Verify a Georgia Notary's Signature
Georgia notaries take their oath before the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence, who records the signature and commission details.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. The Clerk can authenticate the notary's commission and issue a certificate of effectiveness.
3. The GSCCCA (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority) also maintains statewide notary records.
GSCCCA Notary Division: (404) 327-6023
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. The Clerk can authenticate the notary's commission and issue a certificate of effectiveness.
3. The GSCCCA (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority) also maintains statewide notary records.
GSCCCA Notary Division: (404) 327-6023
Verifying Older Georgia Documents
The GSCCCA Notary Index is a free statewide database that may include historical records: https://search.gsccca.org/notary/
1. Search the GSCCCA database by name — it may contain expired commission data.
2. If not found online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the notary's county of commission, or the GSCCCA at (404) 327-6023.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the GSCCCA database by name — it may contain expired commission data.
2. If not found online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the notary's county of commission, or the GSCCCA at (404) 327-6023.
Commission term: 4 years.
Georgia Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Georgia requires a notary seal on all official notarial acts. Either an ink stamp or embossed seal is permitted — a rubber or other type stamp is explicitly authorized by statute. A scrawl is not sufficient.
Stamp requirements (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-6):
- Shape: No specific shape or size mandated by statute; round and rectangular are both acceptable
- Must include: Notary's name, "Notary Public", name of the state, county of appointment (or "Notary Public, Georgia, State at Large" for at-large commissions)
- Embossing is authorized but not required; an ink stamp alone is sufficient
- Georgia notaries are appointed by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence
Stamp requirements (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-6):
- Shape: No specific shape or size mandated by statute; round and rectangular are both acceptable
- Must include: Notary's name, "Notary Public", name of the state, county of appointment (or "Notary Public, Georgia, State at Large" for at-large commissions)
- Embossing is authorized but not required; an ink stamp alone is sufficient
- Georgia notaries are appointed by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence
Contacting a Georgia Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Georgia — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Georgia law requires notaries public to maintain a journal for certain real estate-related transactions involving "self-filers," effective January 1, 2025. Prior to this date, journal-keeping was not mandatory.
Journal requirement:
- As of January 1, 2025, a notary public must maintain a written or electronic journal for each notarial act performed at the request of a self-filer (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8).
- A "self-filer" is an individual submitting real estate-related documents (such as deeds or liens) for recording who is not affiliated with certain exempted professional groups, like attorneys, title insurance agents, or licensed real estate professionals.
- The requirement does not apply to notarizations for attorneys licensed in Georgia, title insurance agents or their representatives, licensed real estate professionals, agents of federally insured banks or credit unions, or agents of licensed or exempt mortgage lenders.
Required journal entries:
- Each entry must include: the name, address, and telephone number of the self-filer; the date, time, and location of notarization; the type of government-issued photo identification document presented (unless identity was confirmed based on personal knowledge); elements of the identification document, including any identifying number; the self-filer's signature; and the type of document presented for notarization (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8).
Inspection and access:
- The statute does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals or request copies.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to provide them voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Georgia notaries are commissioned for four-year terms by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence.
- The journal must be securely stored, either as a physical written document or electronically.
- The statute does not specify a retention period or disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) — toll-free (800) 304-5174 or (404) 327-9760, or Help@gsccca.org
Relevant statutes: O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8 (as amended by HB 1292, effective January 1, 2025)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Georgia law requires notaries public to maintain a journal for certain real estate-related transactions involving "self-filers," effective January 1, 2025. Prior to this date, journal-keeping was not mandatory.
Journal requirement:
- As of January 1, 2025, a notary public must maintain a written or electronic journal for each notarial act performed at the request of a self-filer (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8).
- A "self-filer" is an individual submitting real estate-related documents (such as deeds or liens) for recording who is not affiliated with certain exempted professional groups, like attorneys, title insurance agents, or licensed real estate professionals.
- The requirement does not apply to notarizations for attorneys licensed in Georgia, title insurance agents or their representatives, licensed real estate professionals, agents of federally insured banks or credit unions, or agents of licensed or exempt mortgage lenders.
Required journal entries:
- Each entry must include: the name, address, and telephone number of the self-filer; the date, time, and location of notarization; the type of government-issued photo identification document presented (unless identity was confirmed based on personal knowledge); elements of the identification document, including any identifying number; the self-filer's signature; and the type of document presented for notarization (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8).
Inspection and access:
- The statute does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals or request copies.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to provide them voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Georgia notaries are commissioned for four-year terms by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence.
- The journal must be securely stored, either as a physical written document or electronically.
- The statute does not specify a retention period or disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) — toll-free (800) 304-5174 or (404) 327-9760, or Help@gsccca.org
Relevant statutes: O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8 (as amended by HB 1292, effective January 1, 2025)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.