Cherokee County Notary Application

Cherokee County's Commissioning Process

Cherokee County processes notary applications through the Clerk of Superior Court in Canton. Like several other metro-area counties in the Atlanta region, Cherokee adds local requirements beyond the statewide minimum — most notably a mandatory exam with a 90% passing threshold and a local criminal background check.

Cherokee's growing population — driven by suburban expansion from the Atlanta metro — means the clerk's office processes a steady volume of notary applications, and the staff expects complete, compliant packets.

Training and the 90% Exam

Start with the free GSCCCA training course at elearn.gsccca.org. Under HB 1292 (effective January 1, 2025), this training is mandatory for every non-exempt applicant, whether you're applying for the first time or renewing an existing commission. The course covers Georgia notary law, identification standards, ethical requirements, and liability scenarios.

Cherokee County requires you to pass the concluding online exam with a score of 90% or higher. Print your certificate of completion with the passing score displayed — you'll submit it with your physical application packet. The certificate must be current, meaning dated within 30 days of your in-person filing.

Licensed Georgia Bar attorneys in good standing are exempt from the training and exam requirements.

Retakes are unlimited, and you'll see your score immediately after each attempt. If you're renewing and are not exempt, you still need to complete the training and pass the exam — the HB 1292 requirement applies to every renewal cycle, not just initial commissions.

The Application Steps

1. Complete the GSCCCA training and pass the exam (90% minimum)
2. Submit your application online at apps.gsccca.org
3. Print the generated PDF application
4. Collect original signatures from two character endorsers
5. Obtain a local criminal background check
6. File in person at the Cherokee County Clerk's office in Canton

Your endorsers must be Cherokee County residents, at least 18 years old, and unrelated to you. They need to have known you for a minimum of 30 days, and they must provide physical residential addresses on the form — no P.O. boxes or business addresses. Their signatures must be original ink, not photocopied or digitally reproduced.

After you submit online, don't delay the courthouse visit. If you exceed the county's processing window without completing the in-person filing, the GSCCCA system purges your digital application and you'll need to restart. Confirm Cherokee County's specific deadline with the clerk's office.

Background Check

Cherokee County requires a certified criminal background check from local law enforcement. Obtain yours from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office or a local police department with GCIC terminal access. The report typically costs $15 to $30 and must be dated within 30 days of your courthouse visit.

Convictions for felonies or crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude are grounds for denial. The Clerk of Superior Court makes this determination at their discretion.

If you have any criminal history and are unsure how it might affect your application, call the clerk's office before investing time in the training and exam. Some offices will provide informal guidance.

Fees and Payment

Check with the Cherokee County Clerk's office for the current application fee — metro-area counties typically charge between $40 and $55. Confirm accepted payment methods before your visit, as personal checks may not be accepted. Cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards are generally the safest options.

Your total commissioning cost will include the application fee, background check ($15–$30), and a compliant seal after your commission is issued ($15–$50). The training course itself is free through the GSCCCA.

After Your Commission

Your commission runs for four years from the date the clerk administers your oath. You'll need to purchase a notary seal — either a rubber stamp or metal embosser — that includes your commissioned name exactly as it appears on your certificate, "Notary Public," Cherokee County, and "Georgia" or "GA."

Georgia caps the per-act notarization fee at $2 under O.C.G.A. § 45-17-11. Mobile or travel convenience fees aren't capped by statute but must be disclosed to and agreed upon by the signer before the transaction.

Under the HB 1292 self-filer journal mandate, you must maintain a written or electronic journal whenever you notarize real estate instruments for a self-filer — someone presenting a deed, mortgage, lien, or other real property document who isn't represented by an attorney, title agent, bank, or other exempt professional. The journal must capture eight specific data points at the time of the transaction, including the self-filer's full name, address, phone number, the date/time/location of the notarization, ID details, verification method, and their journal signature.

Renewal Planning

Renewal applications can only be submitted within the 30-day window before your commission expires. If your commission lapses by even one day, you lose your renewal eligibility and must reapply as a first-time applicant with all initial requirements — including a new background check, new endorsers, and the full county application fee.

Set a reminder at least 60 days before your expiration so you have time to complete the refresher training and exam before the renewal window opens.

For the full Cherokee County filing checklist, a deadline tracker that maps your critical dates, and a self-filer journal template, see the Georgia Notary Commission Guide.

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