GA Notary Notary Bonds and Errors & Omissions Insurance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required surety bond amount for a Georgia notary public?
- $500
- $1,000
- $10,000 (Correct answer)
- $25,000
Correct answer: $10,000
Georgia law requires notary publics to maintain a $10,000 surety bond as a condition of their commission.
Question 2: With which official must a Georgia notary public file their surety bond?
- Secretary of State
- Clerk of Superior Court (Correct answer)
- County Tax Commissioner
- County Sheriff
Correct answer: Clerk of Superior Court
In Georgia, a notary's surety bond must be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the notary resides or works.
Question 3: How long does a Georgia notary's surety bond remain in effect?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 4 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 4 years
A Georgia notary's surety bond runs concurrently with the 4-year commission term.
Question 4: Who is primarily protected by a Georgia notary's surety bond?
- The notary personally
- The notary's employer
- Members of the general public (Correct answer)
- The bonding company
Correct answer: Members of the general public
A surety bond is designed to protect the public from financial harm caused by a notary's errors, omissions, or misconduct.
Question 5: If a surety company pays a claim against a Georgia notary's bond, what is the notary's obligation?
- Nothing; the bond fully covers all claims
- Reimburse the surety company for the amount paid (Correct answer)
- Purchase a new bond immediately
- Surrender their notary commission
Correct answer: Reimburse the surety company for the amount paid
Unlike insurance, a surety bond requires the notary (principal) to reimburse the surety company for any claims paid on their behalf.
Question 6: When must a Georgia notary obtain their surety bond relative to performing notarial acts?
- Within 30 days after performing their first act
- Before performing any notarial acts (Correct answer)
- Within 60 days of commission approval
- Any time during the first year of the commission term
Correct answer: Before performing any notarial acts
A Georgia notary must have an active, filed surety bond before they are authorized to perform any notarial acts.
Question 7: What type of coverage is recommended but NOT required by Georgia law to personally protect a notary from liability?
- Surety bond
- Fidelity bond
- Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance (Correct answer)
- General liability insurance
Correct answer: Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance
While E&O insurance is highly recommended to protect a notary's personal assets from liability claims, it is not a legal requirement in Georgia.
GA Notary Notary Bonds and Errors & Omissions Insurance 1
What is the required surety bond amount for a Georgia notary public?