GA Notary Record Keeping and Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Georgia's remote online notarization (RON) law, how long must a notary retain audio-visual recordings of electronic notarizations?
- 1 year from the date of the notarization
- 5 years from the date of the notarization
- 10 years from the date of the notarization (Correct answer)
- 25 years from the date of the notarization
Correct answer: 10 years from the date of the notarization
Georgia law requires remote online notaries to retain audio-visual recordings of notarizations for a minimum of 10 years.
Question 2: Which set of records must a Georgia remote online notary (RON) maintain for each electronic notarization?
- A signed paper copy of the notarized document only
- An electronic journal entry, audio-visual recording, and identity verification records (Correct answer)
- A printed transcript of the video call only
- Only the digital certificate embedded in the electronic document
Correct answer: An electronic journal entry, audio-visual recording, and identity verification records
Georgia RON records must include an electronic journal, audio-visual recordings of the session, and documentation of the identity verification methods used.
Question 3: May a Georgia notary use any video conferencing platform to conduct remote online notarizations?
- Yes, any video-calling software such as Zoom or FaceTime is legally sufficient
- No, the notary must use a platform that meets Georgia's specific RON technology requirements (Correct answer)
- Yes, provided the notary independently records the session on a separate device
- No, remote online notarization is currently prohibited in Georgia
Correct answer: No, the notary must use a platform that meets Georgia's specific RON technology requirements
Georgia requires remote online notarizations to be performed using technology platforms that comply with the state's specific security and performance standards.
Question 4: What must a Georgia RON notary document regarding the identity verification process for each signer?
- Nothing — identity verification is the technology platform's sole responsibility
- Only the name exactly as it appears on the credential presented
- The type of identity verification method used and the outcome of that verification (Correct answer)
- A photograph of the signer taken during the session by the notary
Correct answer: The type of identity verification method used and the outcome of that verification
The notary must keep records showing which identity verification methods were used and the results of that verification as part of the complete electronic notarial record.
Question 5: A Georgia remote online notary's technology provider goes out of business. Who is responsible for preserving the notarial records?
- The Secretary of State automatically takes custody of all electronic records
- Responsibility ends when the technology provider shuts down — no further obligation exists
- The notary must obtain and preserve the records themselves (Correct answer)
- Records transfer automatically to the county probate court
Correct answer: The notary must obtain and preserve the records themselves
The notary remains personally responsible for ensuring that electronic notarial records are preserved even if their technology vendor ceases operations.
Question 6: A Georgia electronic notary wants to store notarial records in a cloud-based service. Is this permissible?
- No, all electronic notarial records must be stored on a local hard drive
- No, only the Secretary of State's approved servers may host notarial records
- Yes, any free cloud service is acceptable without restriction
- Yes, provided the cloud storage meets applicable security and access-control requirements (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Yes, provided the cloud storage meets applicable security and access-control requirements
Cloud storage is permissible for electronic notarial records as long as it satisfies the security standards required to protect the integrity and confidentiality of those records.
Question 7: Who is authorized to access the audio-visual recordings of a Georgia remote online notarization?
- Any member of the public upon submitting a written request
- Only the notary who performed the notarization, under no circumstances
- The notary, parties to the transaction, and authorized officials acting under proper legal authority (Correct answer)
- The recording must be filed with the county clerk within 30 days
Correct answer: The notary, parties to the transaction, and authorized officials acting under proper legal authority
Access to RON recordings is restricted to authorized parties such as the notary, those with a legitimate legal interest, and government officials acting under proper legal authority.
GA Notary Record Keeping and Documentation 3
Under Georgia's remote online notarization (RON) law, how long must a notary retain audio-visual recordings of electronic notarizations?