HB 1437: Notaries public; notarial acts to be performed using electronic means when certain requirements are satisfied; provide

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

1. 2026-03-04House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-02-26House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-25House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)Primary sponsor
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Todd Jones (R, HD-025)

• notaries public
• electronic signatures
• real estate documents
• Georgia notary law