Notary Permits & Licenses in Columbus, Georgia

Mandatory for all LLCs. Annual registration required separately (see below). Expedited filing available for additional fee.

Required for all LLCs to maintain good standing. Online filing required.

Issued to individuals, not businesses. Requires 18+, GA resident, no felony convictions, passing state exam (70% score), $25,000 bond, and county clerk approval. LLC owner/member must obtain personally.

New $25,000 bond required. Online renewal available. Applies to notary individuals only.

Required statewide if using assumed/business name different from LLC legal name. Renewable every 5 years ($25). Search required to confirm availability.

TRAC registration for withholding if paying wages. Most businesses with employees require this.

Notaries typically do not collect sales tax unless they sell physical goods (e.g., document supplies). Most notary services are not subject to sales tax in Georgia. See O.C.G.A. § 48-8-2(10)(A) for exclusions.

Required for all employers in Georgia who withhold state income tax from employee wages. Applies regardless of business structure.

Employers must register with Georgia Department of Labor. New employers pay 2.7% on first $8,500 of wages through 2024. Rate may change annually.

Notaries operating as LLCs with employees must comply with OSHA’s general duty clause and maintain a safe workplace. Most notary offices are low-risk and exempt from routine inspections, but must still report fatalities and serious injuries within 8 and 24 hours, respectively. No specific OSHA standards apply uniquely to notary services.

A Notary Public providing services to the public must ensure physical access (if operating from a fixed location) and digital access (e.g., website for appointment scheduling) comply with ADA standards. This includes accessible entrances, restrooms, and digital content under Title III of the ADA.

FLSA establishes federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime pay (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours/week), recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Applies to notary businesses with employees regardless of revenue.

All U.S. employers, including LLCs operating as notary businesses, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. E-Verify is not federally mandated unless under federal contract or state law.

FMLA requires covered employers to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave annually for qualifying medical or family reasons. Most small notary businesses will not meet the 50-employee threshold and thus are not subject to FMLA.

The FTC enforces truth-in-advertising rules under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Notaries advertising services must avoid deceptive claims (e.g., implying government affiliation or unauthorized legal services). The Business Opportunity Rule does not apply to notary services unless selling franchises or business opportunities.

Notary businesses typically do not generate hazardous waste or engage in regulated activities under EPA statutes (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act). No federal EPA requirements apply to standard notary operations in Georgia.

A Notary Public business in Georgia does not require federal licenses from FDA, ATF, FCC, or DOT. These agencies regulate specific industries (e.g., food, alcohol, telecommunications, transportation), none of which apply to standard notary services.

Most Georgia-based notary LLCs will not have foreign accounts and thus are not subject. This is a federal reporting requirement under the Bank Secrecy Act, administered by FinCEN.

Georgia repealed its corporate franchise tax for most entities effective January 1, 2010. LLCs are not subject to franchise tax. Instead, Georgia imposes a Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) on motor vehicles, but this is unrelated to business operations unless the LLC owns vehicles. No ongoing franchise tax exists for LLCs in Georgia.

This is a mandatory annual fee for all LLCs registered in Georgia. It is not a tax but functions as a recurring compliance obligation. Must be filed via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Many Georgia counties and cities require a local business license or privilege tax certificate. For example, Atlanta charges a $75 annual license fee. Notaries must check with their local tax commissioner or city clerk. Requirement is location-specific.

Required for all LLCs with employees. Also recommended even for single-member LLCs for banking and compliance purposes. Obtained via IRS Form SS-4 or online application.

Required for all businesses; notary services classified under professional services

LLCs must register; notaries fall under "other services

Home-based notaries may qualify for reduced fee

Notaries in Georgia are commissioned for a 4-year term. Renewal must be submitted before expiration. The LLC structure does not change this requirement, but the notary must still meet eligibility criteria. This is specific to notary professionals.

All LLCs registered in Georgia must file an annual report with the Corporations Division. This is a requirement for all LLCs, regardless of business type. Filing keeps the entity in good standing.

The notary commission must be visibly displayed at the location where notarial acts are performed. If operating remotely or mobile, the notary should have it available upon request. Required for all notaries in Georgia.

O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8(b) encourages but does not mandate a journal for traditional notarizations. However, for remote online notarizations (RON), a journal is mandatory under O.C.G.A. § 45-17-13.1. Retention: at least 7 years after last entry.

All businesses with an EIN must file appropriate federal tax returns annually, even if no income. Due dates depend on tax classification. Most LLCs file as disregarded entities (Schedule C with personal return) or partnerships (Form 1065).

Due date aligns with federal deadline. Applies to all entities earning income in Georgia. LLCs pass income to members, who report on personal returns (Form 500).

Self-employed individuals, including notary owners, must make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax. Covers income and self-employment tax.

Individuals and pass-through entities must make estimated payments if they expect to owe $400 or more in Georgia income tax. Due dates differ slightly from federal.

Most notary services are not subject to sales tax. However, if the business sells tangible goods or certain taxable services, registration with DOR is required. Filing frequency depends on tax liability volume.

Effective July 1, 2020, Georgia allows RON. Notaries must register with the Secretary of State once. No continuing education required for RON, but must use approved technology and maintain journal (O.C.G.A. § 45-17-13.1).

Some municipalities require a local business license or occupational tax certificate. For example, Atlanta requires a Business Tax Certificate. Check with local clerk’s office. This applies to all businesses in the jurisdiction.

Required postings include Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), OSHA, and EEO notices. Federal law requires display in a conspicuous location. Applies to all employers with employees, regardless of business type.

Most notary businesses are exempt due to low employee count and low-risk classification. However, if over 10 employees, must maintain OSHA 300 log. Record retention: 5 years.

Limits clients to 5/day, no exterior signage; complies with Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Sec. 16-06.001

Confirms zoning allows professional office/home occupation; notary typically permitted

Governed by Atlanta Sign Ordinance Chapter 16, Article VII

Required for non-structural changes over $2,500 value

Notaries exempt if home-based under 1,000 sq ft

Atlanta Code Sec. 10-8000 series

Required when use changes (residential to office)

A $10,000 surety bond is required for all applicants seeking a notary public commission in Georgia. The bond protects the public from financial loss due to improper notarial conduct. It is filed with the county clerk of the applicant’s residence and remains in effect for the duration of the 4-year commission. Source: O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8.

Georgia law mandates workers’ compensation coverage for employers with three or more employees in the same business. Sole proprietors and businesses with fewer than three employees are exempt. Notaries who are sole proprietors or only employ family members may be exempt. Coverage must be obtained through a licensed insurer or approved self-insurance program.

General liability insurance is not mandated by the State of Georgia for notaries. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims. Some commercial landlords or clients may require proof of coverage as a condition of contract or lease.

While not required by Georgia law, E&O insurance is highly recommended for notaries to protect against claims of negligence, mistakes, or omissions in notarial acts. The Georgia Secretary of State does not mandate this coverage, but it complements the required surety bond, which protects the public—not the notary.

Georgia law requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to carry minimum liability insurance: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). This applies whether the vehicle is used personally or commercially. If the vehicle is used for business purposes, commercial auto insurance is required rather than personal auto insurance.

Not required. A Georgia notary does not typically sell physical products. This insurance would only be relevant if the business expanded to sell tangible goods, which is outside the scope of standard notary services.

Not applicable to standard notary operations. This requirement would only arise if the LLC obtained a liquor license, which is not part of typical notary functions.

While not all single-member LLCs without employees need an EIN immediately, most notary businesses structured as LLCs will need one for banking or tax reporting. A Notary Public in Georgia operating as an LLC should obtain an EIN for compliance and operational purposes.

A Georgia Notary operating as an LLC is typically treated as a disregarded entity (single-member) or partnership (multi-member) for federal tax purposes. The LLC itself does not pay federal income tax, but profits pass through to owners who report on personal returns. The LLC must file Form 1065 if multi-member unless an election is made otherwise.