Ohio Notary Study Guide (Traditional & Remote)
Who makes the Online Notary Rules? General Assembly
Secretary of State
What section of the Ohio Revised Code instructs the 147.62
Secretary of State to adopt rules for Online Notarizations?
What is the role of the Ohio Secretary of State regarding The Secretary of State is instructed to adopt rules to implement, set, and maintain
Online Notarizations? standards for Online Notarizations and Online Notaries Public.
What is the key difference between Traditional Notary and The person can be in a different location but must be seen through a video call.
Virtual Notary?
What is Credential Analysis in the context of online A third person confirms the validity of government-issued documents and authorizes
notarization? them. The third person must use public or private data sources to confirm the
validity and employ automated software to verify the identity of the individual.
What must a third person do during Credential Analysis for Use public or private data sources to confirm validity.
Online Notarization? Use automated software to aid the online notary.
Ensure the identification passes authenticity tests to confirm integrity.
What happens if you don't renew your notary credentials You must redo all the steps as a new notary, including paying new fees and
on time? completing all required work, just like it's your first time.
What is a subpoena? A court order requiring someone to appear, either in court or at a previously decided
location. Criminals must appear in court, while non-criminals can be subpoenaed to
appear at any location.
What is the role of a notary public in Ohio? A notary public serves as an impartial witness to transactions, administering oaths,
and certifying acknowledgments (e.g., deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney,
etc.).
Where can the statutes governing the office of notary Chapter 147 of the Ohio Revised Code.
public in Ohio be found?
Does a notarial commission in Ohio allow someone to No, a notarial commission does not grant permission to practice law in Ohio.
practice law?
What are the general qualifications to become a notary The person must be at least 18 years old.
public in Ohio? The person must be a legal resident of Ohio or an attorney admitted to practice in
Ohio.
The person must submit a criminal records check (unless they are an attorney or
peace officer).
The person must complete an educational program and pass a test (unless they are
an attorney already commissioned as a notary public).
What must an applicant do if they are an attorney applying The attorney must complete an educational program but is not required to pass a
to become a notary public in Ohio after the effective date test.
of the law amendment?
What can lead to the revocation of a notary public's A commission can be revoked upon evidence of official misconduct or incapacity.
commission in Ohio?
, Ohio Notary Study Guide (Traditional & Remote)
Who processes notary public applications and issues The Secretary of State.
commissions in Ohio?
How can notaries public in Ohio submit applications and All submissions must be done electronically.
renew commissions?
What are the requirements for notary commission The applicant must have held their commission for at least one year.
reciprocity in Ohio for applicants from other jurisdictions? The applicant must be in good standing in their jurisdiction.
The applicant must have satisfied minimum education, training, or experience
requirements or passed an exam in their jurisdiction.
The applicant must not have any disqualifying offenses.
The applicant must take the Ohio exam.
Does Ohio law allow out-of-state notaries to perform No, an Ohio notary public must be physically in Ohio when performing notarial acts.
notarial acts in Ohio?
What is one of the prohibited acts a notary public in Ohio A notary public cannot perform a notarial act with regard to a record or document
cannot do? executed by the notary.
Can a notary public notarize their own signature? No, a notary public cannot notarize their own signature.
Is it permissible for a notary public to take their own No, a notary public cannot take their own deposition.
deposition?
When should a notary public avoid performing a notarial A notary public should avoid performing a notarial act if they have a conflict of
act? interest regarding the transaction.
What is a notary public prohibited from certifying about a A notary public cannot certify that a document is an original document or a true copy
document? of another record.
What must a notary public use when signing certificates? A notary public must use the name by which they are commissioned when signing
certificates, not initials or another name.
Under what condition can a notary public use a facsimile A notary public can only use a facsimile signature stamp if they have a physical
signature stamp? disability and have submitted written notice and an example of the facsimile to the
Secretary of State.
Is it permissible for a notary public to sign a blank affidavit No, a notary public cannot sign a blank affidavit or certificate of acknowledgment
or certificate of acknowledgment? and deliver it to another person with the intent that it be used as an affidavit or
acknowledgment.
Can a notary public take an acknowledgment from No, a notary public cannot take an acknowledgment or administer an oath to
someone who has been adjudicated mentally someone who has been adjudicated mentally incompetent if the acknowledgment or
incompetent? oath involves a right that has been removed.
What is prohibited regarding notarizing a document if the A notary public cannot notarize a signature on a document if it appears the person
signer seems mentally incapable? is mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the document at the
time of notarization.
Who makes the Online Notary Rules? General Assembly
Secretary of State
What section of the Ohio Revised Code instructs the 147.62
Secretary of State to adopt rules for Online Notarizations?
What is the role of the Ohio Secretary of State regarding The Secretary of State is instructed to adopt rules to implement, set, and maintain
Online Notarizations? standards for Online Notarizations and Online Notaries Public.
What is the key difference between Traditional Notary and The person can be in a different location but must be seen through a video call.
Virtual Notary?
What is Credential Analysis in the context of online A third person confirms the validity of government-issued documents and authorizes
notarization? them. The third person must use public or private data sources to confirm the
validity and employ automated software to verify the identity of the individual.
What must a third person do during Credential Analysis for Use public or private data sources to confirm validity.
Online Notarization? Use automated software to aid the online notary.
Ensure the identification passes authenticity tests to confirm integrity.
What happens if you don't renew your notary credentials You must redo all the steps as a new notary, including paying new fees and
on time? completing all required work, just like it's your first time.
What is a subpoena? A court order requiring someone to appear, either in court or at a previously decided
location. Criminals must appear in court, while non-criminals can be subpoenaed to
appear at any location.
What is the role of a notary public in Ohio? A notary public serves as an impartial witness to transactions, administering oaths,
and certifying acknowledgments (e.g., deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney,
etc.).
Where can the statutes governing the office of notary Chapter 147 of the Ohio Revised Code.
public in Ohio be found?
Does a notarial commission in Ohio allow someone to No, a notarial commission does not grant permission to practice law in Ohio.
practice law?
What are the general qualifications to become a notary The person must be at least 18 years old.
public in Ohio? The person must be a legal resident of Ohio or an attorney admitted to practice in
Ohio.
The person must submit a criminal records check (unless they are an attorney or
peace officer).
The person must complete an educational program and pass a test (unless they are
an attorney already commissioned as a notary public).
What must an applicant do if they are an attorney applying The attorney must complete an educational program but is not required to pass a
to become a notary public in Ohio after the effective date test.
of the law amendment?
What can lead to the revocation of a notary public's A commission can be revoked upon evidence of official misconduct or incapacity.
commission in Ohio?
, Ohio Notary Study Guide (Traditional & Remote)
Who processes notary public applications and issues The Secretary of State.
commissions in Ohio?
How can notaries public in Ohio submit applications and All submissions must be done electronically.
renew commissions?
What are the requirements for notary commission The applicant must have held their commission for at least one year.
reciprocity in Ohio for applicants from other jurisdictions? The applicant must be in good standing in their jurisdiction.
The applicant must have satisfied minimum education, training, or experience
requirements or passed an exam in their jurisdiction.
The applicant must not have any disqualifying offenses.
The applicant must take the Ohio exam.
Does Ohio law allow out-of-state notaries to perform No, an Ohio notary public must be physically in Ohio when performing notarial acts.
notarial acts in Ohio?
What is one of the prohibited acts a notary public in Ohio A notary public cannot perform a notarial act with regard to a record or document
cannot do? executed by the notary.
Can a notary public notarize their own signature? No, a notary public cannot notarize their own signature.
Is it permissible for a notary public to take their own No, a notary public cannot take their own deposition.
deposition?
When should a notary public avoid performing a notarial A notary public should avoid performing a notarial act if they have a conflict of
act? interest regarding the transaction.
What is a notary public prohibited from certifying about a A notary public cannot certify that a document is an original document or a true copy
document? of another record.
What must a notary public use when signing certificates? A notary public must use the name by which they are commissioned when signing
certificates, not initials or another name.
Under what condition can a notary public use a facsimile A notary public can only use a facsimile signature stamp if they have a physical
signature stamp? disability and have submitted written notice and an example of the facsimile to the
Secretary of State.
Is it permissible for a notary public to sign a blank affidavit No, a notary public cannot sign a blank affidavit or certificate of acknowledgment
or certificate of acknowledgment? and deliver it to another person with the intent that it be used as an affidavit or
acknowledgment.
Can a notary public take an acknowledgment from No, a notary public cannot take an acknowledgment or administer an oath to
someone who has been adjudicated mentally someone who has been adjudicated mentally incompetent if the acknowledgment or
incompetent? oath involves a right that has been removed.
What is prohibited regarding notarizing a document if the A notary public cannot notarize a signature on a document if it appears the person
signer seems mentally incapable? is mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the document at the
time of notarization.
