GA NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield GA NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which document is generally acceptable as satisfactory evidence of identity for a Georgia notary? → A current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
2. What is a potential consequence for a Georgia notary who repeatedly overcharges for notarial acts? → Commission revocation and possible criminal charges
3. In Georgia, what must a notary do before the affiant signs an affidavit? → Administer an oath or affirmation to the affiant
4. If a Georgia notary commissioned through employment moves their job to a different state and loses all Georgia employment, what happens to their commission? → The commission becomes void because the qualifying basis no longer exists
5. What should a Georgia notary write on the jurat certificate to indicate an affirmation was used instead of an oath? → Replace 'sworn' with 'affirmed' in the certificate wording
6. What is the primary purpose of an acknowledgment in notarial practice? → To confirm that the document was signed willingly and voluntarily
7. A notary is asked to backdate a notarial certificate to the date the document was originally drafted. The notary should: → Refuse, as backdating a certificate is fraudulent and prohibited
8. Under what circumstance is a Georgia notary public permitted to charge more than the statutory $2.00 fee for a notarial act? → Under no circumstances for the notarial act itself.
9. Law enforcement presents a Georgia notary with a valid subpoena for their journal. What is the correct response? → Comply fully with the valid subpoena and produce the requested records
10. What type of residency satisfies the Georgia notary qualification — must it be in a specific county? → No, any Georgia resident regardless of county may apply in their county
11. A Georgia notary who knowingly signs a false notarial certificate may face: → Criminal charges for forgery or fraud, revocation of commission, and civil liability
12. A Georgia notary discovers that their official seal has been lost or stolen. What should they do first? → Promptly report the loss and take steps to obtain a replacement seal
13. What is the maximum fee a Georgia notary public may charge per individual notarial act? → $2.00
14. A Georgia notary resigns from their job and their employer demands that the notary leave the journal behind as company property. What should the notary do? → Refuse and take the journal, since it is the notary's personal property
15. Which language proficiency is required of all Georgia notary public applicants? → The ability to read and write English
16. What is the primary purpose of an acknowledgment in Georgia? → To confirm the signer voluntarily executed the document
17. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a notary when performing a notarial act? → Providing legal advice
18. In Georgia, who is authorized to administer oaths? → Commissioned notaries public, among other officials
19. A Georgia Notary Public's commission is valid for a term of how many years? → Four years
20. Which notarial act requires the signer to swear or affirm the truthfulness of a document's contents? → Jurat
21. In Georgia, can a notary perform an acknowledgment if the signer signed the document before appearing before the notary? → Yes, as long as the signer acknowledges the signature during the notarization
22. A Florida resident is regularly employed in Thomas County, Georgia. Where must this individual apply to be commissioned as a Georgia Notary Public? → In Thomas County, where they are employed.
23. How long is a notary commission valid in Georgia? → 5 years
24. A Georgia notary affixes their official seal and signature to a notarial certificate but omits their commission expiration date. This omission: → Can render the notarization legally defective and violates Georgia's notarial requirements
25. In Georgia, where must a notarial act physically occur for the notary's authority to be valid? → Within the borders of the state of Georgia
26. What is a deponent in the context of Georgia notarial acts? → A person who gives sworn testimony during a deposition
27. A notary in Georgia is presented with an ID that appears tampered with or shows signs of alteration. What is the correct course of action? → Refuse the notarization and do not accept the potentially fraudulent ID
28. Which entity is responsible for approving applications and issuing commissions for Notaries Public in Georgia? → The Clerk of Superior Court in the applicant's county.
29. Is a notary allowed to notarize a document if the signer is not present? → No, the signer must be physically present for the notarization
30. Which of the following acts is outside the authorized powers of a Georgia Notary Public? → Performing a marriage ceremony.