Ohio Notary Updated Actual Exam Question
and Answer (2026/2026) | 100% Verified
Answers
• Qualifications to be a notary in Ohio: -✓✓ * American citizen
* At least 18 years of age
* Qualified/registered to vote at every election in county of residence
• An Ohio notary is a public officer of: -✓✓ The State of Ohio
• An Ohio notary is commissioned by: -✓✓ The Secretary of the State
• How many persons may the Secretary of State appoint and commission as
notaries? -✓✓ As many as he/she deems necessary
• What should the applicant provide for the Secretary of State in order to be
appointed? -✓✓ A certificate from a judge that he is of good moral character, a
citizen of the county in which he resides, knowledge that the applicant has
necessary qualifications or has passed an examination. In larger counties,
committees of lawyers aid in determining this and present to a judge (Ex-
Montgomery County requires: written form of application, under oath, and a
passing grade on an exam. If requirements are fulfilled, the committee presents to a
judge for approval)
• Term length for a notary: -✓✓ 5 years
• Term length for a notary if he/she is an attorney: -✓✓ Valid as long as they are a
resident of Ohio or their principal place of business is in Ohio
• Consequences of violating the oath of office: -✓✓ * Removed from office by the
Court of Common Pleas of the county in which he resides.
* The person so removed shall be ineligible for reappointment.
• Describe the seal of a notary: -✓✓ * Coat of arms of the state of Ohio within a
circle one inch (1") in diameter
* Surrounded by the words "notary public," "notarial seal," or words to that effect
* The name of the notary public
, * The words "State of Ohio"
• True / False:
The seal may be of either a type that will stamp ink or one that will emboss it. -✓✓
True
• If the notary's name does not appear on the seal, what should he/she do? -✓✓
Have his/her name printed, typewritten, or stamped in legible printed letters near
his/her signature on each document he/she signs
• What else does a notary need to discharge his/her duties? -✓✓ An official register
(journal)
• What happens to the official register upon death, removal, etc.? -✓✓ It is
deposited in the office of the county recorder of the county in which he/she resides.
• What goes into the official register (journal)? -✓✓ A copy of every certificate of
protest and copy of note, which seal and record shall be exempt from execution
• Where is the notary's commission recorded? -✓✓ A book in the office of the
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the county of residence.
• What are the four powers of a notary public? -✓✓ 1. Administer oaths
2. Take and certify documents
3. Take and certify acknowledgements of deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of
attorney, and other instruments of writing
4. Receive, make, and record notarial protests
• True / False:
In taking depositions, he/she shall have the power which is by law vested in judges
of county courts to compel the attendance of witnesses and punish them for
refusing to testify. -✓✓ True
• Who are required to serve and return all process issued by notaries in the taking
of depositions? -✓✓ Sheriffs and constables
• What fee is the max fee allowed for taking and certifying one signature on an
affidavit? -✓✓ $1.50
and Answer (2026/2026) | 100% Verified
Answers
• Qualifications to be a notary in Ohio: -✓✓ * American citizen
* At least 18 years of age
* Qualified/registered to vote at every election in county of residence
• An Ohio notary is a public officer of: -✓✓ The State of Ohio
• An Ohio notary is commissioned by: -✓✓ The Secretary of the State
• How many persons may the Secretary of State appoint and commission as
notaries? -✓✓ As many as he/she deems necessary
• What should the applicant provide for the Secretary of State in order to be
appointed? -✓✓ A certificate from a judge that he is of good moral character, a
citizen of the county in which he resides, knowledge that the applicant has
necessary qualifications or has passed an examination. In larger counties,
committees of lawyers aid in determining this and present to a judge (Ex-
Montgomery County requires: written form of application, under oath, and a
passing grade on an exam. If requirements are fulfilled, the committee presents to a
judge for approval)
• Term length for a notary: -✓✓ 5 years
• Term length for a notary if he/she is an attorney: -✓✓ Valid as long as they are a
resident of Ohio or their principal place of business is in Ohio
• Consequences of violating the oath of office: -✓✓ * Removed from office by the
Court of Common Pleas of the county in which he resides.
* The person so removed shall be ineligible for reappointment.
• Describe the seal of a notary: -✓✓ * Coat of arms of the state of Ohio within a
circle one inch (1") in diameter
* Surrounded by the words "notary public," "notarial seal," or words to that effect
* The name of the notary public
, * The words "State of Ohio"
• True / False:
The seal may be of either a type that will stamp ink or one that will emboss it. -✓✓
True
• If the notary's name does not appear on the seal, what should he/she do? -✓✓
Have his/her name printed, typewritten, or stamped in legible printed letters near
his/her signature on each document he/she signs
• What else does a notary need to discharge his/her duties? -✓✓ An official register
(journal)
• What happens to the official register upon death, removal, etc.? -✓✓ It is
deposited in the office of the county recorder of the county in which he/she resides.
• What goes into the official register (journal)? -✓✓ A copy of every certificate of
protest and copy of note, which seal and record shall be exempt from execution
• Where is the notary's commission recorded? -✓✓ A book in the office of the
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the county of residence.
• What are the four powers of a notary public? -✓✓ 1. Administer oaths
2. Take and certify documents
3. Take and certify acknowledgements of deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of
attorney, and other instruments of writing
4. Receive, make, and record notarial protests
• True / False:
In taking depositions, he/she shall have the power which is by law vested in judges
of county courts to compel the attendance of witnesses and punish them for
refusing to testify. -✓✓ True
• Who are required to serve and return all process issued by notaries in the taking
of depositions? -✓✓ Sheriffs and constables
• What fee is the max fee allowed for taking and certifying one signature on an
affidavit? -✓✓ $1.50
