Which institution in Georgia historically kept appointment certificates for notaries?

• A. State librarian
• B. Secretary of State
• C. Governor
• D. County clerk

Answer: (A)

Notaries’ authority is evidenced by a formal appointment certificate that must be preserved as a public record. In Georgia’s historical practice, the State Librarian served as the custodian of these appointment certificates, maintaining the central records of who was authorized to act as a notary. This fits the library’s role as keeper of public records and reference materials, ensuring the certificates were preserved and accessible for verification. While the Secretary of State issues commissions and maintains the official roster, the physical certificates themselves were stored by the state library. The governor or county clerk don’t serve as the statewide archive for notary records.