Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1437: Notaries public; notarial acts to be performed using electronic means when certain requirements are satisfied; provide
Last action March 4, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported
House Bill 1437 would let Georgia notaries perform notarial acts electronically, defining electronic signatures and seals and allowing them alongside traditional paper notarizations.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Georgia law currently sets rules for notaries public that mostly assume paper documents, ink signatures, and physical seals. This bill amends Georgia's notary law (O.C.G.A. Title 45, Chapter 17) to add definitions for electronic notarial certificates, electronic seals of office, and electronic signatures, and to formally allow notaries to use them. The bill changes the seal of office rules so a notary can choose an electronic seal containing their name, commission number, expiration date, and the words 'Notary Public, Georgia, Electronic Seal,' instead of only a physical embossed or stamped seal. It also updates the signature and dating rules so a notary can either sign by hand in ink on a paper notarial certificate or affix an electronic signature on an electronic notarial certificate, with the exact date recorded either way. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it, or automatically becomes law without signature.
What the bill does
- Adds new legal definitions for 'electronic notarial certificate,' 'electronic seal of office,' and 'electronic signature' to Georgia's notary law.
- Allows notaries to use an electronic seal of office instead of a traditional embossed or stamped physical seal.
- Lets notaries document notarial acts by affixing an electronic signature on an electronic certificate rather than signing by hand in ink.
- Clarifies that a notary's electronic seal or a rubber stamp is sufficient, but a scrawl or initials alone are not.
- Preserves older rules for notaries commissioned or renewed on or before July 1, 1985, regarding their physical seal wording.
Who it affects
Georgia notaries public, who gain the option to notarize documents electronically; businesses, banks, real estate professionals, and members of the public who rely on notarized documents; and clerks of superior court who maintain real property records affected by notarization requirements.
Why it matters
If enacted, Georgians could get documents notarized electronically instead of only in person with a physical seal and wet-ink signature, potentially making transactions like real estate closings, loan documents, or affidavits faster and more convenient for both notaries and the public.
Key provisions
- Section 1 rewrites the definitions in O.C.G.A. § 45-17-1 to add 'electronic notarial certificate,' 'electronic seal of office,' and 'electronic signature.'
- Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 45-17-6 to let notaries choose an electronic seal with specific required content, alongside existing physical seal options.
- Section 2 also states a notary's electronic seal or a rubber stamp satisfies the seal requirement, but a scrawl or initials do not.
- Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 45-17-8.1 so a notary may either hand-sign a paper certificate in ink or affix an electronic signature on an electronic certificate, recording the exact date either way.
- Section 4 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.
- Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws.
From the bill
“'Electronic signature' means an electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic record that is executed or adopted by an individual with the intent to affix his or her signature to such electronic record.”
“Shall be an electronic seal of office in an appropriate file format which includes the notary's name, commission number, commission expiration date, and the words 'Notary Public, Georgia, Electronic Seal'”
Discussed in meetings (5)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, March 3, 2026
From 0:03:27 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor explained that HB 1437 would allow in-person electronic notarization, rather than remote online notarization. The sponsor gave a closing as an example: instead of printing paper for notarization, participants could use an iPad while still meeting in person. No committee members asked questions or debated the proposal. After a motion and second, the committee approved the bill by voice vote, with no numerical tally stated. The chair announced that the bill would move to the Rules Committee.
House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
From 0:53:00 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: A committee member presenting HB 1437 on the sponsor's behalf said it would allow electronic notarization when the parties are physically together, using an iPad or similar device. The presenter said Georgia was one of four states that did not allow this practice. There were no questions or recorded decisions.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
- Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
- Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
- Deborah Silcox (R, HD-53)
- Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)
- Todd Jones (R, HD-25)
Topics
- notaries public
- electronic signatures
- real estate documents
- Georgia notary law