What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in Ohio
To become a notary in Ohio, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Ohio, and able to read and write English. You then take a written exam administered by the Ohio Secretary of State's office, pass a background check, and submit your process with the required fee. The whole process typically takes four to six weeks from process to commission.
Ohio does not require you to take a notary course before the exam, though many people do take one to prepare. The exam covers Ohio notary law, your duties and limitations, and how to handle common notarization situations. You cannot use study materials during the test itself.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, an Ohio resident, and able to read and write English to take the notary exam.
- The Ohio Secretary of State administers the exam; you schedule it through their office and pay the exam fee at that time.
- After you pass the exam, you submit your process with fingerprints, a background check, and the commission fee to the Secretary of State.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and requires you to renew it before it expires if you want to continue working as a notary.
- Ohio notaries cannot notarize documents for themselves, their spouses, or anyone they have a financial interest in.
Meeting the Basic Requirements
Ohio's baseline requirements are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Ohio (which means you have a permanent home address in the state), and able to read, write, and understand English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or fraud within the past 10 years. If you have questions about your criminal history, contact the Ohio Secretary of State's Notary Section before you explore.
Residency means you live in Ohio, not that you own property there. If you have moved to Ohio recently, you can still become a notary as long as you have established a permanent address in the state. You will need to provide proof of residency when you submit your process—typically a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Scheduling and Taking the Notary Exam
The Ohio Secretary of State's office administers the notary exam through a third-party testing company. You schedule your exam appointment online through the Secretary of State's website. The exam costs money (the fee amount varies and is set by the testing company), which you pay when you book your appointment. You can take the exam at testing centers across Ohio; the Secretary of State's website lists all available locations and times.
The exam is 50 questions and covers Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 (the notary law), your duties and prohibitions, how to complete notarizations correctly, and how to handle situations where you cannot notarize. You have two hours to complete it. You cannot bring study materials, notes, or phones into the testing room. Most testing centers allow you to bring a calculator, but confirm this when you schedule.
You must score at least 70 percent to pass. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you will pay the exam fee again each time you test.
Submitting Your process After You Pass
Once you pass the exam, you have one year to submit your process to the Ohio Secretary of State. Your process includes your exam score, a completed process form (available on the Secretary of State's website), proof of residency, and fingerprints for a background check. You will also need to pay the commission fee, which is separate from the exam fee.
For fingerprints, you can visit any Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation office, or many local police departments and sheriff's offices will take them for you. Some private fingerprinting services also offer this. The fingerprints must be on the official form provided by the Secretary of State. Mail or deliver your complete process package to the address listed on the Secretary of State's website.
The Secretary of State's office will conduct a background check using your fingerprints. This check looks for felony convictions involving dishonesty or fraud within the past 10 years. If the background check clears, your process is approved and you receive your notary commission certificate by mail. This process typically takes four to six weeks from the time your process is received.
Understanding Your Duties and Limitations as an Ohio Notary
Once commissioned, you can notarize documents, administer oaths, and take affidavits and depositions. A notarization means you verify the identity of the person signing the document, confirm they are signing of their own free will, and certify that you witnessed the signature. You do not judge whether the document is legal or correct—that is not your job.
Ohio law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you have a financial interest in it, if the signer is your spouse, or if you are a party to the document. You also cannot notarize a document if you cannot see the signer's face or verify their identity through government-issued photo identification. Remote notarization is not permitted in Ohio.
You must keep a notary journal (a record of every notarization you perform) and maintain it for at least five years. The journal should include the date, the signer's name and identification number, the type of document, and the fee you charged. This record protects you if a notarization is later questioned.
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Your notary commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. Before it expires, you can renew it by submitting a renewal process to the Ohio Secretary of State. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process—you do not take another exam. You will need to submit a renewal form, pay the renewal fee, and provide updated information if anything has changed since your last commission.
The Secretary of State sends renewal notices to the address on file about 60 days before your commission expires. If you miss the important date, your commission lapses and you can no longer notarize documents. You would have to reapply as a new notary, which means taking the exam again.
Preparing for the Notary Exam
Although Ohio does not require you to take a notary course, many people find one helpful. Notary courses cover Ohio law, common notarization mistakes, and how to handle tricky situations. Some courses are offered online, others in person, and they typically cost between $20 and $100. The Ohio Secretary of State's website lists approved notary education providers.
If you study on your own, focus on Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 and the Secretary of State's notary handbook, both available free on the Secretary of State's website. Practice questions and sample exams are also available online. Study the rules about who you cannot notarize for, what identification you must see, and how to complete a notary journal entry correctly—these topics appear frequently on the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize documents for family members?
No. Ohio law prohibits you from notarizing a document if the signer is your spouse. You also cannot notarize if you have a financial interest in the document or if you are a party to it. For other family members, you can notarize as long as you meet all other requirements and do not have a financial stake in the document.
What happens if I fail the notary exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need. There is no waiting period between attempts. You pay the exam fee each time you test. Your passing score is valid for one year, so you have that long to submit your process after you pass.
Do I need to work for a business to become a notary?
No. You can become a notary as an independent person. Many notaries work for banks, law offices, or title companies, but you do not have to be employed by anyone to get commissioned. Some notaries work part-time or on their own.
Can I notarize documents online or by video call in Ohio?
No. Ohio does not permit remote notarization. You must be physically present with the signer and see their face and government-issued photo identification in person. You cannot notarize documents via video call or email.
What should I charge for a notarization?
Ohio law does not set a maximum fee for notarizations, so you can charge what you think is fair. Many notaries charge between $5 and $15 per signature. You must disclose your fee to the signer before you notarize, and you must record the fee in your notary journal.