2026-09-28 · 8 min read

How to Become a Notary Signing Agent in Georgia: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Georgia commissions notaries through the Clerk of Superior Court in your county — not the Secretary of State. Since 2025, there's a mandatory training course with an exam. Here's the complete current process — then what turns a Georgia notary into a loan signing agent.

Step 1: Confirm you qualify

• At least 18 years old
• A legal resident of Georgia, or with a regular place of work or business in the state (some counties require you to live or be employed in that specific county)
• Able to read and write English
• An operating telephone number
• No conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude without a pardon

Step 2: Complete the mandatory training and pass the exam

Beginning January 1, 2025, all Georgia notary applicants must complete the mandatory training course provided by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) at elearn.gsccca.org. You must pass the course exam with a score of 90% or above; a small exam fee (around $2) applies. Bring your certificate of completion with you when you apply.

Step 3: Get a fresh criminal background check

New applicants must include a criminal background check no more than 30 days old, performed by a local law enforcement agency (sheriff or police), with the application.

Step 4: Complete and sign the application

Complete the notary public commission application (available online or at the clerk's office). Do not sign it in advance — for new applicants, the application must be signed in front of a clerk's office employee. Some counties also ask for two unrelated adult residents of the county to endorse your good moral character.

Step 5: File with the county clerk

Present your application in person at your Clerk of Superior Court's office with proof of residency (Georgia driver's license or ID with your county address) and pay the filing fee — typically around $53–$55 (varies by county; renewals by mail run about $60). For mail renewals, the application must be signed in the presence of a notary and mailed with your ID copy and training certificate.

Georgia does not require a surety bond for notary commissions — the county checklists list only the application, training certificate, background check, and fee.

Step 6: Take the oath and buy your seal

Take the oath of office, then purchase your notary seal (stamp or embosser bearing your name and the words "Notary Public") and a journal. Georgia caps notarial act fees at $2 per act.

Commission term: 4 years.

From Georgia notary to signing agent

Georgia has no separate state signing-agent certification — the commission above is the legal credential. But the companies that hire signing agents (lenders, title companies, signing services) operate on industry credentials: training certification plus background screening.

To work as a signing agent in Georgia, add:

• Background screening (the NNA's screening is the industry standard; ~$60–$80/year)
• Signing agent training on loan documents — see the startup cost breakdown and our Loan Signing System review
• E&O insurance — not required by the state, but required by most hiring companies
• A dual-tray laser printer and the rest of the mobile notary kit

One Georgia-specific caveat: the state has not authorized remote online notarization (in-person electronic notarization with the signer physically present is allowed). Georgia signing agents should plan on an in-person, mobile business model. Compare the economics in our signing agent vs. general notary income guide.

Cost summary

Requirements from the GSCCCA and county Clerk of Superior Court checklists, verified September 2026. Fees vary by county — confirm with your county clerk before applying.