Ohio Notary Updated Actual Exam Question and
Answer (2026/2027) | Detailed Rationales
• Define Notary Public -✓✓ Public Officer appointed and commissioned by the
Secretary of State to serve the Public as an impartial witness in performing specific
acts authorized by law.
• Two types of Notaries in Ohio -✓✓ 1. Traditional Notary Public
2. Online Notary Public
• What does a Traditional Notary do? -✓✓ 1. Meets face to face
2. Notarizes electronic or paper documents (verifies signers signature & completes
notary certificate)
• What does an Online Notary do? -✓✓ 1. Meets via webcam
2. Notarizes electronic documents only
• What are the 4 actions of a traditional Notary? -✓✓ 1. Acknowledgments
2. Jurats
3. Oaths or Affirmations
4. Taking & certifying depositions
• List the Qualifications to become a Notary. -✓✓ 1. 18 years old
2. legal resident, or attorney admitted to practice law in Ohio
3. No official misconduct or incapacity
4. Education requirement (complete course)
5. Pass the exam
• List the application procedure. -✓✓ 1. Submit application which must include:
a. Commission Name
b. Residence address
c. Birthdate
d. Recent criminal records check
e. Signature
f. Proof of completion
g. $15
2. Sign and swear oath
3. Don't skip questions and don't forget to sign!
, • How long is the term of a Notary? -✓✓ 5 years
• What is the jurisdiction of a Notary? -✓✓ Statewide jurisdiction
• What are the roles of a Notary? -✓✓ 1. Serve the public for all reasonable
requests
2. Be an impartial, third-party witness
• Can an employer restrict an employee to only perform services of notary to
customers of the business? -✓✓ Yes.
• When is the only times you can refuse to notarize? -✓✓ 1. Employee restricts
2. Unlawful or Unreasonable
**may NOT limit on basis of race, sex, gender, age, etc.**
• Can you notarize if you are a party to or will benefit from the underlying
transaction? -✓✓ No.
• Can attorneys notarize for their clients? -✓✓ Yes.
• Can employees notarize for their employers? -✓✓ Yes, as long as they do not
receive benefits from the transaction.
• Can you notarize your own signature? -✓✓ No.
• How often must you renew and how do you do it? -✓✓ Every 5 years, the same
application you did the first time. Must be submitted no more than 3 months prior
to expiraiton.
• What are the 5 steps of notarization? -✓✓ 1. Require personal appearance
2. Check document
3. Verify the facts
4. Record the notarization
5. Complete the certificate
Answer (2026/2027) | Detailed Rationales
• Define Notary Public -✓✓ Public Officer appointed and commissioned by the
Secretary of State to serve the Public as an impartial witness in performing specific
acts authorized by law.
• Two types of Notaries in Ohio -✓✓ 1. Traditional Notary Public
2. Online Notary Public
• What does a Traditional Notary do? -✓✓ 1. Meets face to face
2. Notarizes electronic or paper documents (verifies signers signature & completes
notary certificate)
• What does an Online Notary do? -✓✓ 1. Meets via webcam
2. Notarizes electronic documents only
• What are the 4 actions of a traditional Notary? -✓✓ 1. Acknowledgments
2. Jurats
3. Oaths or Affirmations
4. Taking & certifying depositions
• List the Qualifications to become a Notary. -✓✓ 1. 18 years old
2. legal resident, or attorney admitted to practice law in Ohio
3. No official misconduct or incapacity
4. Education requirement (complete course)
5. Pass the exam
• List the application procedure. -✓✓ 1. Submit application which must include:
a. Commission Name
b. Residence address
c. Birthdate
d. Recent criminal records check
e. Signature
f. Proof of completion
g. $15
2. Sign and swear oath
3. Don't skip questions and don't forget to sign!
, • How long is the term of a Notary? -✓✓ 5 years
• What is the jurisdiction of a Notary? -✓✓ Statewide jurisdiction
• What are the roles of a Notary? -✓✓ 1. Serve the public for all reasonable
requests
2. Be an impartial, third-party witness
• Can an employer restrict an employee to only perform services of notary to
customers of the business? -✓✓ Yes.
• When is the only times you can refuse to notarize? -✓✓ 1. Employee restricts
2. Unlawful or Unreasonable
**may NOT limit on basis of race, sex, gender, age, etc.**
• Can you notarize if you are a party to or will benefit from the underlying
transaction? -✓✓ No.
• Can attorneys notarize for their clients? -✓✓ Yes.
• Can employees notarize for their employers? -✓✓ Yes, as long as they do not
receive benefits from the transaction.
• Can you notarize your own signature? -✓✓ No.
• How often must you renew and how do you do it? -✓✓ Every 5 years, the same
application you did the first time. Must be submitted no more than 3 months prior
to expiraiton.
• What are the 5 steps of notarization? -✓✓ 1. Require personal appearance
2. Check document
3. Verify the facts
4. Record the notarization
5. Complete the certificate
