Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Notary
Public?
A notary public is a person of proven integrity appointed by a
Clerk of Superior Court to serve the public as an impartial witness
in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations,
and performing other acts authorized by law. Notaries are required
to follow simple instructions and exercise common sense judgement
and discretion when executing their office.
Notarization does not guarantee the truth or accuracy of
statements in a document. The notary has no obligation to verify a
document's content or to indicate he/she has knowledge of the
contents of the document or of the copy certified. Notarization
does not legalize or validate a document. A document with errors
before notarization will contain the same errors afterwards.
Who can become a Notary
Public?
In order to be appointed as a Notary Public in the County of
Clayton, you must:
-
Be a resident of Georgia
-
Be a resident of Clayton County
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Be at least 18 years of age
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Be capable of reading and writing the English language
How do I apply?
-
You must complete an on-line application for Notary Public
Commission. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A COPY OF THE APPLICATION
FOR NOTARY PUBLIC COMMISSION.
-
Fill out the form completely- including any criminal convictions
(with the exception of minor traffic offenses) you have had.
Do Not sign application. Application must be signed in
front of clerk's office employee.
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Have two other residents of Clayton County who are not related
to you and are at least 18 years of age to fill out the endorsement
sections of the applications attesting to your good moral
character.
-
Present the notary public commission application in person to
the Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court's office along with
verification of your Clayton County residency (i.e. valid Georgia
driver's license with current Clayton County address or State of
Georgia ID card with current Clayton County address).
-
The fee is $37.00. Forms of payment accepted: cash or money
order payable to Jacquline D. Wills, Clerk or Visa or
Mastercard.
When can I
apply?
The Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court's office is open
Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding
county-recognized holidays). CLICK HERE FOR A SCHEDULE OF COUNTY-RECOGNIZED
HOLIDAYS. No appointment is necessary.
What is
next?
You will receive a certificate of appointment from the Clerk's
office. You may then go to any office supply store and purchase
your notary stamp and seal. Most notaries choose a stamp/seal
combination (which is a rubber stamp) rather than an embossing seal
and a separate rubber stamp listing your commission appointment
term.
How long is my
commission appointment?
A notary commission in the State of Georgia is four (4)
years.
What do I need to do if I
move during my commission term?
Whether you move to another county or stay within Clayton
County, your commission will still be registered through Clayton
County for the entire four years. You must notify the Clerk's
office (with a copy to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks'
Authority, 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30345, (404)
327-6023 or (404)327-9058) of your change of address. Be sure to
include your name, your commission dates, your old address and your
new address.
What do I do if
my name changes during my commission term?
If your name legally changes during your commission term, you
must appear in person at the Clayton County Clerk's office. You
must present a letter which includes your old name, the new name
and the dates of your commission along with proof of legal name
change. The Clerk of Superior Court will prepare an amended
certificate to you with your new name. You may then take that
certificate to any office supply store and purchase a new seal and
stamp. Once these steps have been completed, you may begin signing
with your new name.
I'm not sure I know
all that I need to know about being a notary.
The American Society of Notaries has published a Georgia Notary
Handbook which is available through the Georgia Superior Court
Clerks' Cooperative Authority for a cost of $10.00 http://www.gsccca.org/filesandforms/files/NOTARY/nphand.pdf.
The handbook contains information on Basic Notary Guidelines,
Notarial Fees to which you are entitled, Recordkeeping, Notarial
Acts, Responsibilities of a Notary Public and a Reference Guide
among other subjects.
An on-line training course is available through GSCCCA at http://training.gsccca.org/LMS/login.asp.
For additional information concerning Notary Public Commissions,
please visit the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative
Authority at http://www.gsccca.org/Projects/aboutnp.asp.
How can I renew my
commission before it expires?
Follow the new online renewal instructions at http://www.gsccca.org/Projects/npapp.asp and
renew completely online and pay by credit card.
OR
-
Complete an on-line application at http://www.gsccca.org/Projects/npapp.asp.
-
Present the notary public commission application in person to
the Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court's office along with
verification of your Clayton County residency (i.e. valid Georgia
driver's license with current Clayton County address or State of
Georgia ID card with current Clayton County address).
-
The fee is $37.00. Forms of payment accepted: cash or money
order payable to Jacquline D. Wills, Clerk or Visa or
Mastercard.
How can I renew my
commission after it expires?
Once your commission has expired, you will need to
apply as if it were your first time to apply. Refer to "How do I apply?" section.
Notary Complaint form
Use the following form if you wish to file a
complaint.
Notary Public Complaint Form (pdf)