GA Notary - Georgia Notary Oaths Affirmations and Affidavits Questions and Answers Flashcards

What penalty can an affiant face for making a false statement under oath in Georgia?

Answer: Perjury charges

An affiant who knowingly makes false statements under oath can be charged with perjury, which is a criminal offense in Georgia.

Can a Georgia notary refuse to administer an oath?

Answer: Yes, if the notary has a conflict of interest or the act would be unlawful

A notary may refuse a notarial act, including administering an oath, if there is a conflict of interest or if performing the act would be improper or unlawful.

In Georgia, what ceremony is required when administering an oath?

Answer: The notary must orally ask the affiant to swear or affirm and the affiant must respond

Georgia law requires that an oath or affirmation ceremony actually take place, meaning the notary asks the affiant to swear or affirm and the affiant verbally responds.

What should a Georgia notary write on the jurat certificate to indicate an affirmation was used instead of an oath?

Answer: Replace 'sworn' with 'affirmed' in the certificate wording

The jurat certificate wording should reflect the actual act performed — if an affirmation was used, the word 'affirmed' replaces 'sworn' in the certificate.

In Georgia, may a notary charge a fee to administer an oath?

Answer: Yes, subject to Georgia's maximum notary fee schedule

Georgia notaries may charge a fee for administering oaths, but the amount is capped by the state's maximum notary fee schedule.

A Georgia notary is asked to notarize an affidavit but the affiant refuses to take an oath for religious reasons. What should the notary do?

Answer: Offer an affirmation as a legally equivalent alternative

The notary should offer an affirmation, which has the same legal effect as an oath and accommodates signers with religious objections.