GA Notary Legal Requirements and Guidelines 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When notarizing a signature, Georgia law requires the signer to:
- Mail the document within 30 days of signing
- Appear in person before the notary at the time of notarization (Correct answer)
- Provide a witnessed affidavit if they cannot appear
- Appear via phone call if out of state
Correct answer: Appear in person before the notary at the time of notarization
Georgia law requires personal appearance before the notary at the time of notarization unless Remote Online Notarization (RON) procedures are followed.
Question 2: A Georgia notary is presented with a document written entirely in a foreign language. The notary should:
- Refuse because the document must be in English
- Notarize if they can communicate with the signer and properly verify identity (Correct answer)
- Always require a certified English translation first
- Contact the Superior Court for approval before proceeding
Correct answer: Notarize if they can communicate with the signer and properly verify identity
A notary may notarize a foreign-language document as long as they can communicate with the signer and complete the English-language notarial certificate.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable form of identification for a Georgia notarization?
- State-issued driver's license
- U.S. passport
- Public library card (Correct answer)
- Military identification card
Correct answer: Public library card
A library card is not a government-issued photo ID and does not meet the identity verification standard required for notarization.
Question 4: A Georgia notary who prepares immigration forms for compensation is:
- Permitted if they are bilingual
- Allowed under a special notary endorsement
- Committing the unauthorized practice of law (Correct answer)
- Required only to disclose they are not an attorney
Correct answer: Committing the unauthorized practice of law
Preparing immigration documents for compensation constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in Georgia unless the person is a licensed attorney.
Question 5: What is a 'jurat' in notarial practice?
- A notary's official rubber seal
- A certificate in which the signer swears or affirms that the document's contents are true (Correct answer)
- A certificate confirming the signer appeared and acknowledged signing
- A certified copy of a court document
Correct answer: A certificate in which the signer swears or affirms that the document's contents are true
A jurat is a notarial certificate used when a signer swears or affirms under oath that the statements in the document are true, often used for affidavits.
Question 6: May a Georgia notary notarize their own signature on a document?
- Yes, for personal matters only
- Yes, if no other notary is available within 10 miles
- No, a notary may never notarize their own signature (Correct answer)
- Only for documents valued under $500
Correct answer: No, a notary may never notarize their own signature
A notary may never notarize their own signature because doing so creates a conflict of interest that violates the impartiality required of notaries.
Question 7: Does Georgia law require notaries to maintain a notarial journal?
- No, Georgia does not mandate a notarial journal (Correct answer)
- Yes, a journal is required for all acts
- Yes, but only for real estate documents
- Yes, only when charging a fee
Correct answer: No, Georgia does not mandate a notarial journal
Unlike many states, Georgia does not require notaries to maintain a notarial journal, though keeping one is recommended as best practice.
GA Notary Legal Requirements and Guidelines 3
When notarizing a signature, Georgia law requires the signer to: