QUALIFICATIONS

The fee for a notary commission is $51.00.  Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court accepts credit/debit, bank cashier’s check and money orders (No Personal Checks). Checks must be made payable to Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court.  Basic qualifications for a person to become a Notary in Georgia.  Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a citizen of the United States or a legal resident of the United States
  • Be a legal resident of the county in which he or she applies (or, if a non-Georgia resident, you must reside in a state bordering Georgia and carry on a business or profession in Georgia or be regularly employed in the Georgia county of application)

Proof of Residence:
New notary applicants must submit proof of residency with one of the following documents:

  • A valid identification State of Georgia ID card with current Cobb County address
  • A valid Cobb County voter’s registration card

In addition, applicant must provide:

  • A certified background check issued by a local law enforcement entity (Sheriff, Police, etc., no more than 30 days old)
  • Applications must have applicant’s physical address (we will not accept P.O. Box addresses)
  • Have and provide, at the time of application, the applicant’s operating telephone number
  • Be able to read and write English
  • Exemption for attorneys only – a current Georgia Bar card will need to be presented in lieu of testing

Address on all proof of residence and identification MUST MATCH address on application.

Renewal Notary Commission
Renewal applications are valid only for those holding a current unexpired appointment from Cobb County.

  • Notary commission can be renewed 30 days before commission expiration date by logging onto the GSCCA website at https://apps.gsccca.org/NotaryApplication/ and completing the online renewal application.
  • The fee to renew in person is $51.00 (in person).
  • A copy of your driver’s license with your current Cobb County residence address.
  • A certified background check issued by a local law enforcement entity (Sheriff, Police, etc., no more than 30 days old).
  • A certificate of completion of the online notary training and exam with a score of 90% or higher.

Present your application, notary training certification and certified background check, no more than 30-days after completion, in person to the Clerk of Superior Court Notary Office, 10 East Park Square, Building C, 1st Floor, Marietta, Georgia 30090.

Renewing Notary Commission by Mail
The fee for a notary renewal by mail is $56.00.  Applicants must sign the application in the presence of a notary and mail the following:

  • A completed notary application
  • A copy of your driver’s license with current Cobb County residence address
  • A certified background check issued by local law enforcement entity (Sheriff, Police, etc., no more than 30 days old)

Endorsers
Applicant Endorsers must be a legal resident in Cobb County and must not be related to the applicant.  Application must have endorser’s physical address (Work addresses or P.O Box will not be accepted).

  • Endorsers are character references who live in your county of application, have known you for over 30 days, and are not related to you and must be 18 years or older.
  • Endorsers must sign the endorsement page on the application.
  • Endorsers cannot be the applicant.
  • Note: An application will be rejected if the notary is the same as an endorser or if they are related, in any way, to the applicant.

Expired Commission
Once your commission has expired, you will need to apply as if it were your first time.  However, if the expiration date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, you have until the following Monday to complete your renewal application.

A complete official Georgia Notary Public handbook with rules and regulations is available for purchase ($10.00) at https://www.gsccca.org/file/notary-forms.

Commission Denial/Recommission
The Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court may deny a commission or recommission to an applicant due to:

  • The applicant’s criminal history
  • Revocation, suspension, or restriction of any notary commission or professional license issued to the applicant by Georgia or any other state
  • Commission of any of the acts listed in subsection (a) of Code Section §45-17-15
  • A finding by the State Bar of Georgia or by any court of law that the applicant engaged in the unauthorized practice of law (Administrative Suspension of Bar License)

Any applicant who is denied a notarial commission or recommission can receive a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court (O.C.G.A. §45-17-2.3).

Seal of Office & Notarial Certificates
Each notary must provide a seal of office for the authentication of notarial acts. Cobb notary’s such seal shall have the notary’s name and the words “Notary Public Cobb County Georgia”.  Embossment of notarial certificate by the such seal is authorized but not necessary, and the use of a rubber or other type stamp shall be sufficient for imprinting the notary’s seal.

Resignation
A person wishing to resign the notary commission shall send a letter of resignation to the Clerk of Superior Court Cobb County, with a copy to the GSCCCA.  The notary shall destroy the official seal in the event of resignation.  A notary whose commission expires and who does not apply for renewal shall also destroy the notary seal.