OHIO NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM– QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
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1. What government official or office is exclusively responsible for appointing and
commissioning notaries public in the state of Ohio under the Notary Modernization Act?
A. The Governor of Ohio
B. The Ohio Secretary of State
C. The Attorney General of Ohio
D. The Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Under Ohio's Notary Modernization Act, the authority to commission, regulate, and oversee
notaries public was centralized entirely within the Ohio Secretary of State's office, replacing
the former county-by-county probate court appointment process.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an individual applying for a new notary
public commission in Ohio?
A. 16 years of age
B. 18 years of age
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
To qualify for an Ohio notary public commission, applicants must be at least 18 years old,
possess legal residency or a qualifying professional practice in Ohio, and have no
disqualifying criminal record.
3. What is the standard duration of a traditional notary public commission term in Ohio
after it has been successfully issued?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
,D. Lifetime commission
An Ohio notary public commission is valid for a term of five years from the date of issuance,
after which a renewal process and continuing education course must be completed to maintain
active status.
4. Which of the following non-attorney applicants must submit a criminal records check
from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) when applying for a new notary
commission?
A. Only applicants who have lived outside Ohio within the last year
B. Every non-attorney applicant seeking a new commission
C. Only applicants requesting remote online authorization
D. Applicants are no longer required to submit background checks
All non-attorney applicants for an initial notary commission in Ohio must complete a criminal
background check through the Ohio BCI, which must be dated within six months of the
application submission.
5. How many hours of education and testing are required for a first-time, non-attorney
applicant seeking a traditional notary public commission in Ohio?
A. 1 hour of education with no exam
B. 3 hours of education with a passing score on an authorized exam
C. 6 hours of education with a practical courtroom observation
D. No education is required for traditional applicants
First-time non-attorney applicants must complete a 3-hour education course approved by the
Secretary of State and pass an administered exam through an authorized provider.
6. Are licensed attorneys admitted to the practice of law in Ohio required to take the
education course and pass the exam to obtain a notary public commission?
A. Yes, attorneys must complete the exact same 3-hour course and exam as non-attorneys.
B. Attorneys are completely exempt from all background checks, education, and application
fees.
C. Attorneys must complete the 3-hour education class but are exempt from taking the
examination.
,D. Attorneys must take the exam but are exempt from the education course.
Ohio-licensed attorneys must complete the mandatory 3-hour educational training program
but receive a statutory exemption from taking the testing portion.
7. Which of the following individuals is legally qualified to serve as a notary public in
Ohio?
A. A resident alien with no legal status in the United States
B. An Ohio resident who is not an attorney, provided they meet all training, background,
and testing requirements
C. A convicted felon currently serving a prison sentence for theft or fraud
D. An individual under 18 years of age
Ohio residency (or non-resident attorney status with a primary place of business in Ohio)
combined with meeting age, background check, and education criteria allows an individual to
qualify.
8. What is the maximum fee that a traditional notary public in Ohio is permitted to charge
for a single notarial act, such as an acknowledgment or jurat?
A. $1.50 per document
B. $5.00 per notarial act
C. $10.00 per signature
D. $25.00 per hour of service
Ohio law explicitly establishes that traditional notaries may charge up to $5.00 for each
formal notarial act performed, separate from any agreed-upon travel fees.
9. When may an Ohio notary charge a travel fee in addition to the standard statutory
notarial fee?
A. Travel fees are strictly prohibited under all circumstances in Ohio.
B. Only if the notary and the client have agreed upon the travel fee amount prior to the
performance of the service.
C. Whenever the travel distance exceeds five miles from the notary's residence.
, D. Automatically for any mobile signing appointment without prior notice.
A notary may charge a reasonable travel fee provided that the exact terms and amount are
fully disclosed and agreed to by the customer in advance of the appointment.
10. What specific items of information must be legibly printed, stamped, or embossed on an
Ohio notary's official seal or stamp?
A. Name, Social Security number, and commission expiration date
B. Name, title "Notary Public," state of Ohio, and commission expiration date
C. Name, county of residence, and home address
D. Name, employer name, and badge number
An official Ohio notary stamp or seal must contain the notary's legal name, the words "Notary
Public," "State of Ohio," and the expiration date of their commission (or a statement that
expiration date is not required).
11. Is an Ohio notary required by state law to maintain a formal notary journal for
traditional, in-person paper notarizations?
A. Yes, a journal is strictly mandatory for every single paper notarization performed.
B. No, maintaining a journal for traditional paper notarizations is recommended as a best
practice but is not legally required.
C. Only attorneys are required to maintain written notary journals in Ohio.
D. Journals are illegal and prohibited for traditional notaries.
While Ohio law highly recommends keeping a journal to track transactions and mitigate
liability, it is only strictly mandatory for Remote Online Notarizations (RON).
12. Within how many days must an Ohio notary public notify the Secretary of State of any
change to their legal name or residential address?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 90 days
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST| DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF
1. What government official or office is exclusively responsible for appointing and
commissioning notaries public in the state of Ohio under the Notary Modernization Act?
A. The Governor of Ohio
B. The Ohio Secretary of State
C. The Attorney General of Ohio
D. The Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Under Ohio's Notary Modernization Act, the authority to commission, regulate, and oversee
notaries public was centralized entirely within the Ohio Secretary of State's office, replacing
the former county-by-county probate court appointment process.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an individual applying for a new notary
public commission in Ohio?
A. 16 years of age
B. 18 years of age
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
To qualify for an Ohio notary public commission, applicants must be at least 18 years old,
possess legal residency or a qualifying professional practice in Ohio, and have no
disqualifying criminal record.
3. What is the standard duration of a traditional notary public commission term in Ohio
after it has been successfully issued?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
,D. Lifetime commission
An Ohio notary public commission is valid for a term of five years from the date of issuance,
after which a renewal process and continuing education course must be completed to maintain
active status.
4. Which of the following non-attorney applicants must submit a criminal records check
from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) when applying for a new notary
commission?
A. Only applicants who have lived outside Ohio within the last year
B. Every non-attorney applicant seeking a new commission
C. Only applicants requesting remote online authorization
D. Applicants are no longer required to submit background checks
All non-attorney applicants for an initial notary commission in Ohio must complete a criminal
background check through the Ohio BCI, which must be dated within six months of the
application submission.
5. How many hours of education and testing are required for a first-time, non-attorney
applicant seeking a traditional notary public commission in Ohio?
A. 1 hour of education with no exam
B. 3 hours of education with a passing score on an authorized exam
C. 6 hours of education with a practical courtroom observation
D. No education is required for traditional applicants
First-time non-attorney applicants must complete a 3-hour education course approved by the
Secretary of State and pass an administered exam through an authorized provider.
6. Are licensed attorneys admitted to the practice of law in Ohio required to take the
education course and pass the exam to obtain a notary public commission?
A. Yes, attorneys must complete the exact same 3-hour course and exam as non-attorneys.
B. Attorneys are completely exempt from all background checks, education, and application
fees.
C. Attorneys must complete the 3-hour education class but are exempt from taking the
examination.
,D. Attorneys must take the exam but are exempt from the education course.
Ohio-licensed attorneys must complete the mandatory 3-hour educational training program
but receive a statutory exemption from taking the testing portion.
7. Which of the following individuals is legally qualified to serve as a notary public in
Ohio?
A. A resident alien with no legal status in the United States
B. An Ohio resident who is not an attorney, provided they meet all training, background,
and testing requirements
C. A convicted felon currently serving a prison sentence for theft or fraud
D. An individual under 18 years of age
Ohio residency (or non-resident attorney status with a primary place of business in Ohio)
combined with meeting age, background check, and education criteria allows an individual to
qualify.
8. What is the maximum fee that a traditional notary public in Ohio is permitted to charge
for a single notarial act, such as an acknowledgment or jurat?
A. $1.50 per document
B. $5.00 per notarial act
C. $10.00 per signature
D. $25.00 per hour of service
Ohio law explicitly establishes that traditional notaries may charge up to $5.00 for each
formal notarial act performed, separate from any agreed-upon travel fees.
9. When may an Ohio notary charge a travel fee in addition to the standard statutory
notarial fee?
A. Travel fees are strictly prohibited under all circumstances in Ohio.
B. Only if the notary and the client have agreed upon the travel fee amount prior to the
performance of the service.
C. Whenever the travel distance exceeds five miles from the notary's residence.
, D. Automatically for any mobile signing appointment without prior notice.
A notary may charge a reasonable travel fee provided that the exact terms and amount are
fully disclosed and agreed to by the customer in advance of the appointment.
10. What specific items of information must be legibly printed, stamped, or embossed on an
Ohio notary's official seal or stamp?
A. Name, Social Security number, and commission expiration date
B. Name, title "Notary Public," state of Ohio, and commission expiration date
C. Name, county of residence, and home address
D. Name, employer name, and badge number
An official Ohio notary stamp or seal must contain the notary's legal name, the words "Notary
Public," "State of Ohio," and the expiration date of their commission (or a statement that
expiration date is not required).
11. Is an Ohio notary required by state law to maintain a formal notary journal for
traditional, in-person paper notarizations?
A. Yes, a journal is strictly mandatory for every single paper notarization performed.
B. No, maintaining a journal for traditional paper notarizations is recommended as a best
practice but is not legally required.
C. Only attorneys are required to maintain written notary journals in Ohio.
D. Journals are illegal and prohibited for traditional notaries.
While Ohio law highly recommends keeping a journal to track transactions and mitigate
liability, it is only strictly mandatory for Remote Online Notarizations (RON).
12. Within how many days must an Ohio notary public notify the Secretary of State of any
change to their legal name or residential address?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 90 days
