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Georgia Petition for Adoption: Notarization Requirements Under O.C.G.A. Title 19, Chapter 8

September 22, 2026

Adoption is a life-changing legal process that creates a permanent parent-child relationship between individuals who are not already related by blood. In Georgia, every adoption — whether of a child, a stepchild, or an adult — begins with a formal document filed in the Superior Court of the county where the petitioner resides. And nearly every document in that filing must be notarized.

What Is the Georgia Petition for Adoption?

The Georgia Petition for Adoption is the legal pleading that starts an adoption case in Superior Court. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-13, the petition must include:

  • The full name, age, and place of residence of the petitioner(s)
  • The full name, date of birth, and place of birth of the child or adult to be adopted
  • A statement that the petitioner meets Georgia’s adoption eligibility requirements
  • Any consent or surrender documents from the biological parents
  • An affidavit from a child-placing agency or DFCS, if applicable
  • The petitioner’s marriage certificate, if married
  • Any criminal history records checks required by the court

While the petition itself is the centerpiece, several supporting documents — including the Surrender of Parental Rights, affidavits, and consent forms — must all be signed under oath before a notary public.

Why Does Georgia Law Require Notarization?

Georgia law is explicit about notarization in adoption proceedings. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-26 requires that every surrender of parental rights be executed under oath in the presence of both a notary public and an adult witness. The reason is simple: adoption permanently terminates the legal rights of a biological parent. The notary’s role is to verify the identity of the person signing the surrender, confirm they are signing voluntarily and under oath, and help prevent fraud or coercion in this irrevocable decision.

Similarly, the Gwinnett County Superior Court instructs adoption petitioners directly: “Your forms must be notarized prior to filing with the Clerk of Court.” The Clerk’s office does not provide a notary, so all documents must be notarized in advance.

Affidavits submitted with the petition — such as criminal history affidavits, home study reports, and financial disclosures — must also be signed under oath before a notary pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-8-13(e).

Types of Adoption Where Notarized Documents Are Required

  • Child Adoption — Petition, surrender of rights, and supporting affidavits
  • Stepparent Adoption — Consent of the biological parent must be notarized
  • Relative Adoption — Petition and any waivers or surrenders
  • Adult Adoption — Consent of the adult being adopted must be notarized
  • Foreign Decree Domestication — Petition to domesticate a foreign adoption decree

Official Resources

Key Takeaway

If you are filing for adoption in Gwinnett County, make sure every signature that requires verification — the petition itself, any consent or surrender forms, and all supporting affidavits — is executed in the presence of a Georgia notary public. A notary confirms your identity, witnesses your signature, and administers the oath that makes your statements legally binding under Georgia law. Without proper notarization, the Clerk of Superior Court will not accept your filing.

Need this document notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.