Documents issued or notarized in Georgia are apostilled by the Notary Division, Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA). The office authenticates the signatures of Georgia public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Georgia-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
GSCCCA issues apostilles only; non-Hague destinations get a Great Seal Certification from the Georgia Secretary of State (404-656-2871).
Where to file
| GSCCCA, Attn: Notary Division, 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345 | |
| In person | 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345 Mon-Fri 9:00 am-4:00 pm, no appointment; typically under 20 minutes; office may cap while-you-wait volume. Walk-in was suspended Apr 16-Jul 1, 2026 for construction (lobby drop box used instead). |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.gsccca.org/notary-and-apostilles/apostilles/general-apostille-information |
How to get a Georgia apostille
- Confirm the document is a Georgia public document
The Notary Division, Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) authenticates signatures of Georgia officials and Georgia-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit by mail to GSCCCA, Attn: Notary Division, 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345; in person at 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Mon-Fri 9:00 am-4:00 pm, no appointment; typically under 20 minutes; office may cap while-you-wait volume. Walk-in was suspended Apr 16-Jul 1, 2026 for construction (lobby drop box used instead).). The fee is $3 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mail: normally 1-2 business days; walk-in: under 20 minutes. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $3 per document. Walk-in: cash, pre-printed personal/company check payable to GSCCCA, money order, credit card. Mail: check, money order, or online credit-card pre-payment voucher.
Processing time: Mail: normally 1-2 business days; walk-in: under 20 minutes
Documents Georgia will apostille
- Georgia vital records (birth, death, marriage)
- Court documents and county Clerk of Superior Court filings
- Current certified corporate documents from the Secretary of State Corporations Division
- Documents notarized by a Georgia notary (POA, affidavits, translations, diplomas, transcripts)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Out-of-state documents
- Federal documents including FBI checks and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
- Photocopies not certified by a Georgia notary
- Documents issued by foreign countries
- Documents for non-Hague countries (Great Seal Certification from Secretary of State instead)
- Documents for use within the US or its territories
Notarized documents
Notarized under Georgia law; notarial certificate must show the exact date of notarization; notary signature and seal must match the commission name; seal must show name, commissioning county, 'Notary Public' and state. A Georgia notary may certify a copy of a diploma or other document; translator's affidavit must be sworn before a Georgia notary who is not the translator.
Georgia does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Must be current official certified copies with the issuing official's signature and seal, never notarized; birth/death from Georgia Department of Community Health or county Probate Court/Health Department; marriage from county Probate Court; divorce decrees from county Clerk of Superior Court. Records issued before 2000 should be replaced with a new certified copy.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Georgia-specific points
- Georgia's competent authority is the Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, not the Secretary of State; the SOS handles only non-Hague Great Seal certifications.
- $3 per document is among the lowest fees in the country, and mail turnaround is 1-2 business days.
- Document language does not matter; English translation is not required for an apostille.
- Handwritten FedEx/UPS return airbills are rejected; labels must be computer-generated.
- Some county eCertified digital divorce decrees can be apostilled on their printed versions.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Georgia does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Georgia resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Georgia authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Georgia?
The Notary Division, Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) charges $3 per document. Walk-in: cash, pre-printed personal/company check payable to GSCCCA, money order, credit card. Mail: check, money order, or online credit-card pre-payment voucher.
How long does a Georgia apostille take?
Mail: normally 1-2 business days; walk-in: under 20 minutes
Can I get an apostille in person in Georgia?
Yes. Mon-Fri 9:00 am-4:00 pm, no appointment; typically under 20 minutes; office may cap while-you-wait volume. Walk-in was suspended Apr 16-Jul 1, 2026 for construction (lobby drop box used instead).
Does Georgia require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Notary Division, Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) provided the notary is commissioned in Georgia and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Georgia resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Georgia. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
