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Becoming A Notary Public in the State of Georgia

LEGISLATION is changing the process of becoming a notary starting January 1, 2025. All new and renewing notaries will be required to take notary training offered by GSCCCA, within 30 days of applying and the certificate of completion must be submitted to the Clerk giving the Notary Commission. Notarizing Real Estate Documents will require the notary to keep a notary journal and other information on the signors. Be on the look out for more infomation to come. SB 1292

Sentate Bill 1292

Please call for an appointment, 229-225-4108.

If your are an attorney wanting to apply for notary, PLEASE call my office for instructions.

What does a Notary Public do?

A notary public is an officer of the State of Georgia who is authorized to:

  • Witness or attest signatures or executions of deeds and other written instruments.
  • Take acknowledgments.
  • Administer oaths and affirmations.
  • Witness affidavits.
  • Take verifications.
  • Make certified copies of documents.

A notary does not:

  • Perform Marriage Ceremonies
  • Give legal advice.
  • Assist filling out paperwork.
  • Explain what the paperwork is about.

Qualifications

To be eligible to become a notary public of the State of Georgia for Thomas County, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • A resident of Georgia.
  • A resident of Thomas County.
  • A resident of state bordering Georgia who carries on a business or profession in Thomas County,
  • Be able to read and write the English language.
  • Complete Notary Training through the Clerk’s Authority.
  • Keep a notary journal for all ‘Self Filer” notary acts.

Applying for Notary Public Appointment

To apply for appointment as a notary public, you must go to www.gsccca.org to fill out an online application.

As of April 3, 2023 all notary applicants must submit a criminal background check with their application. Attorneys PLEASE call the Clerk before getting a criminal background check. Go to the Thomasville City Administration Building off of Victoria Place to purchase the back ground check. Once you have your receipt, go to the Thomasville City Police Department at 912 Smith Ave. to have your criminal back ground check run. You may also contact the Thomas County Sheriff’s Department to purchase a criminal back ground check.

You are required to sign and swear or affirm to the truthfulness of the information you provide on the application.

In addition to the information shown above, you are required to state on the application form all criminal convictions you have had, including any plea of nolo contendre, except minor traffic violations.

Endorsements of two persons who are not your relatives, who are 18 years old and who reside in Thomas County, stating that you are a person of integrity, good moral character, and capable of performing notarial acts.

The application or renewal fee for a notary public as of July 1, 2024 will be $55.00. The Clerk of Thomas Superior Court accepts cash, money orders or business checks. **NO personal checks. If you are paying by company card, we must have a letter on letter head giving authorization to use the card.

Commision

The Clerk of Thomas County Superior Court is required by law to review your application and either grant or deny a commission.

The Clerk of Thomas County Superior Court may deny your application if you have been convicted of any crimes or entered a nolo contendre plea to any crime other than a minor traffic violation, or if you have ever had a notary commission revoked, suspended or restricted.

The Clerk will issue you a certificate of appointment at the time you are commissioned as a notary public.

Term of Office

A notary public serves a term of office for four years from the date of the commission.

The commission may be revoked at any time if a notary violates any notary public law, performs any illegal notarial act, or is found to have submitted an application or endorsement for a notarial commission containing substantial or significant misstatement or omission of fact.

Renewal of a commission may be done in person before the end of the term of office.

Seal of Office

For authentication of notarial acts, a notary public is required by law to provide a seal of office.

The seal shall contain your name, the words “Notary Public,” “Georgia,” and “Thomas County”.

The seal may either be an embossing device or a rubber stamp.

All notarial acts must be documented by your notary seal.

Fees of Notaries

The fees a notary may charge the public for performing notarial acts are:

Administering an oath--$2.00

Each attendance on any person to make proof as a notary public--$2.00

It is not lawful to charge more than $4.00 for each service performed. The $4.00 fee includes a $2.00 fee for performing the notarial act and $2.00 for attendance to make proof as a notary public and certifying the same.

A notary public is not required to charge fees for notarial acts.

You must inform the person requesting the notarial act in advance of the fees that will be charged.