EXHIBIT 5.1

                         OPINION OF KING & SPALDING LLP

                        [King & Spalding LLP Letterhead]

April 27, 2006

John H. Harland Company
2939 Miller Road
Decatur, Georgia  30035

RE: JOHN H. HARLAND COMPANY -- REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for John H. Harland Company, a Georgia corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Registration Statement relates to 3,000,000 shares (the
"Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share, to be issued
pursuant to, or upon the exercise of options granted under, the John H. Harland
Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. In all
such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures on original
documents and the conformity to such original documents of all copies submitted
to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies, and as to certificates of
public officials, we have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be
accurate. As to matters of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon
statements and representations of representatives of the Company and public
officials.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that (a) the Shares that may be
issued pursuant to, or upon the exercise of options granted under, the Plan will
continue to be duly authorized on the dates of such issuance and (b) on the date
on which any option is exercised, such option will have been duly executed,
issued and delivered by the Company and will constitute the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms subject, as to enforceability, to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally, general equitable principles and the discretion of courts in
granting equitable remedies.

The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the federal laws of
the United States of America and the laws of the State of Georgia and no opinion
is expressed with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect
which such laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is
limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be
inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the other limitations and
qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

      a.    The Shares are duly authorized; and



      b.    When the Shares are issued pursuant to the Plan or upon exercise of
            the options granted pursuant to the Plan against payment therefor,
            as the case may be, as provided in the Plan, such Shares will be
            validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to
advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our
attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the opinions contained
herein. This letter is being rendered for the benefit of the Company in
connection with the matters addressed herein.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ King & Spalding LLP

KING & SPALDING LLP