My Georgia Notary and Apostille

The biggest difference between an onsite notary and a mobile notary is simple:

• An onsite notary works at a fixed location.
• A mobile notary travels to you.

However, notary laws, fees, and permitted services can vary significantly depending on the state where the notarization occurs.

At My Georgia Notary and Apostille, we provide professional mobile notary services across Metro Atlanta and nationwide. Call or text 770.329.9700 or email support@mygeorgianotary.com for help with your documents.

A notary public is a state-commissioned public official who helps prevent fraud in the signing of important documents. In most states, a notary’s role is primarily to act as an impartial witness. The notary does not represent the signer, the recipient, or either party in a transaction.

During a standard appointment, a notary may:

• Verify the identity of each signer.
• Confirm that the signer appears willing and aware.
• Watch the signer sign a document.
• Take an acknowledgment.
• Administer an oath or affirmation.
• Complete the notarial certificate.
• Apply the official notary seal or stamp.
• Record the notarization in a journal when required by state law.

An acknowledgment means the signer confirms that they signed the document willingly.

A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true. The signer generally signs in front of the notary for this type of act.

A notary public generally does not:

• Decide whether a contract is fair.
• Explain the legal consequences of signing.
• Choose the correct legal form for you.
• Draft a will, deed, trust, or contract.
• Act as your attorney.
• Guarantee that a document will be accepted by a court or foreign government.
• Confirm that every statement in a document is true.

PLEASE DO NOT ASK A NOTARY TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. If you need help preparing or changing a legal document, contact a licensed attorney in the applicable state.

A notary may be able to point out where a signature or date belongs. But that is different from advising you about your legal rights or obligations.

The United States does not have one national notary system. Each state creates its own notary laws and procedures. Notaries are generally commissioned by the state’s Secretary of State or a similar government office.

That means the rules can differ regarding:

• Required identification.
• Notary journal requirements.
• Witness requirements.
• Permitted notarial acts.
• Copy certification.
• Electronic notarization.
• Maximum notary fees.
• Notary education and testing.
• Background checks.
• Notary commission terms.

A notary commissioned in Georgia must follow Georgia law when performing a Georgia notarization. A notary commissioned in California must follow California law when performing a California notarization.

The location of the notarization matters.

For current state-by-state fee information, the National Notary Association’s notary fee guide is a useful starting point. You should also confirm requirements with the appropriate state authority before relying on a fee or procedure.

Notary fees can include more than one charge. It is important to separate the fee for the notarial act from fees for travel, convenience, technology, printing, witnesses, or document handling.

Traditional notarial act fees vary widely. For example:

• Georgia and New York generally cap traditional notary fees at $2 per notarial act, among the lowest statutory fees in the country.
• California and Nevada allow fees of up to approximately $15 for certain notarial acts.
• States such as Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, and Maine may not set a single numeric maximum for every traditional notarial service. Instead, the law may require that charges be reasonable or agreed upon.
• Some states use different fee limits for acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, or other acts.

These limits generally apply to the notary’s statutory fee. They do not always control the total price of an appointment.

A mobile notary travels to your location. The travel portion is usually charged separately from the state-regulated notarial fee.

A mobile notary travel or convenience fee commonly ranges from $50 to $150, depending on factors such as:

• Distance.
• Appointment time.
• Evening, weekend, or holiday service.
• Number of signers.
• Number of documents.
• Waiting time.
• Hospital, nursing home, or detention facility access.
• Parking, tolls, or unusual travel requirements.

Always ask for a price breakdown before confirming your appointment.

At My Georgia Notary and Apostille, we explain the expected fees and requirements upfront so you can plan with confidence.

Remote online notarization, often called RON, allows a signer and notary to meet through an approved online platform.

RON is not authorized in exactly the same way in every state. Some states allow it broadly. Others have limitations, special registration requirements, or no permanent RON authority.

Where RON is permitted, total fees often reach $25 or more per online session. The price may include:

• The notarial act.
• Online identity verification.
• Audio-video technology.
• Electronic seal and certificate.
• Additional signers.
• Witness services.
• Document storage or delivery.

Do not assume that an online notarization will be accepted everywhere. Confirm that the receiving agency, court, lender, title company, or foreign government accepts RON before scheduling.

An onsite notary works from a regular location. You travel to the notary instead of the notary traveling to you.

An onsite notary may be located at:

• A bank.
• A shipping or office-services store.
• A title company.
• A law office.
• A real estate office.
• A government building.
• A private notary office.

Onsite notarization may be convenient if you are already visiting that business. Some banks provide notary services as a free benefit for eligible customers.

However, onsite services may involve:

• Business-hour restrictions.
• Walk-in waiting.
• Limited appointment availability.
• Fewer options for multiple signers.
• Difficulty accommodating hospitals, care facilities, or homebound clients.

A mobile notary is a commissioned notary who travels to your chosen location.

Depending on the assignment, a mobile notary may meet you at:

• Your home.
• Your office.
• A hospital.
• A nursing facility.
• A rehabilitation center.
• A jail or detention facility.
• A real estate closing.
• A hotel or public meeting location.

Mobile service is especially helpful for busy professionals, elderly clients, new parents, people recovering from medical procedures, and families managing estate planning or real estate transactions.

It also provides flexibility for multiple signers who cannot easily meet at a bank or store.

Convenience is the main benefit. You do not have to rearrange your day around traffic, parking, or an unfamiliar office schedule.

The phrase “notary public” does not mean the same thing everywhere.

In the United States, notaries in the 49 common-law states generally perform ministerial duties. They witness signatures, verify identity, and administer oaths. They do not normally prepare legal instruments or provide legal advice.

In many countries overseas, especially countries with civil-law systems, a notary is a highly trained legal professional. Foreign notaries may prepare and authenticate:

• Real estate transactions.
• Wills.
• Corporate documents.
• Powers of attorney.
• Property transfers.
• Marriage contracts.
• Estate documents.

This difference can cause serious confusion. A foreign official may expect a U.S. document to be prepared or authenticated in a particular way.

Louisiana is the only U.S. state with a civil-law system based on the Napoleonic Code. Louisiana notaries can have broader authority than notaries in the other 49 states.

Depending on their commission and the applicable law, Louisiana notaries may prepare certain legal instruments, including:

• Wills.
• Deeds.
• Mortgages.
• Acts of incorporation.
• Property transfers.
• Matrimonial agreements.

These documents may qualify as authentic acts when the required legal formalities are followed. An authentic act can have special evidentiary force in Louisiana courts.

However, even a Louisiana notary cannot automatically do everything an attorney can do. A Louisiana notary generally cannot represent someone in court or provide legal advice simply because they are a notary.

You can review Louisiana’s notarial statutes through the Louisiana Legislature.

Copy certification rules vary by state.

Some states permit notaries to certify copies of certain private documents. Other states restrict or prohibit copy certification except in specific situations.

There are also common limitations involving:

• Birth certificates.
• Death certificates.
• Marriage certificates.
• Divorce records.
• Court records.
• Public records.
• School records.
• Government-issued documents.

A notary usually cannot create a certified copy of a vital record. The issuing government agency generally must provide that certified copy. Always ask whether your state permits the specific copy certification you need. If the document will be used internationally, also confirm the receiving country’s requirements.

Before scheduling an onsite or mobile notary, ask:

1. Are you commissioned in the state where I will sign?
2. What identification do I need?
3. How much is the notarial fee?
4. Is there a separate travel or convenience fee?
5. Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
6. Are witnesses required, and can you provide them?
7. Can you notarize this specific document?
8. Will the receiving agency accept this type of notarization?
9. Does the document need an apostille or authentication afterward?
10. What happens if my document is incomplete or missing a signature?

If your document is intended for another country, you may need a notary public with apostille support. A notary does not issue the apostille. An apostille is issued by the authorized government office. A professional facilitator can help coordinate notarization, state authentication, apostille processing, translation, and legalization.

Learn more about our apostille facilitation services, or submit an apostille request form.

Choose an onsite notary if:

• You can travel easily.
• You need service during regular business hours.
• You have a straightforward document.
• You want to use a bank or office location.

Choose a mobile notary if:

• You need the notary to come to you.
• You have several signers.
• You need an evening or weekend appointment.
• You are homebound or in a medical facility.
• You are completing a real estate, estate planning, or business transaction.
• You want greater convenience and flexibility.

At My Georgia Notary and Apostille, we help clients understand the process before the appointment. We serve Metro Atlanta and coordinate document services nationwide, including notarization, loan signing, translation, authentication, and apostille facilitation.

If you are searching for notary and apostille services near me or need an apostille in Atlanta, GA, call or text 770.329.9700. You may also email support@mygeorgianotary.com or visit our contact page.

A notary appointment should not feel confusing. With the right information and a qualified professional, you can complete the process accurately, efficiently, and with peace of mind.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Notary laws, fees, and document requirements change. Confirm the current requirements in the applicable state and with the receiving organization before signing.

• National Notary Association: Notary Fees by State
• Louisiana Legislature: Notarial Law
• Hague Conference: Apostille Convention Status Table
• U.S. Department of State: Document Authentication
• My Georgia Notary and Apostille: Services
• My Georgia Notary and Apostille: Areas We Serve