How to Become a Notary in Ohio

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 12, 2020 References

People in Ohio often become notaries to serve their clients in legal, financial, or business matters. In Ohio, you must apply to become a notary through your county, but you will be able to work throughout the state. While the application process varies by county, you will always have to submit an official application, obtain a notary seal, and renew your commission periodically.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Determining Your Eligibility

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Determine your eligibility. In Ohio, notaries must be 18 years of age and legal residents of the state. You also cannot have had a previous notary commission revoked, as this makes you ineligible. Having a criminal record could make it harder to become a notary, as notaries are expected to be highly law-abiding citizens.^{[1]
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- If you are not a legal resident of Ohio, you can still become a notary if you are an attorney who practices law in the state. You will apply to become a notary through the county where you maintain your legal practice.^{[2]
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2
Research your county’s requirements. In Ohio, notary commissions are handled at the county level, usually by the county’s common pleas court. The application process varies slightly by county, so you should thoroughly research the requirements in your area.
- You must apply to become a notary in the county you reside in.^{[3]
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- Even though you become a notary through your county, once you receive your commission you will be able to act as a notary throughout the state of Ohio. So if you work in a different county than the one you applied through, this is not a problem at all.
- Some common country requirements are tests and criminal record checks.
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3
Complete a background check if required. Some counties may run a background check of your criminal record. This is to ensure that you do not have a criminal record that precludes you from becoming a notary in Ohio. You may have to pay a fee for the background check, and you may also need to submit a set of fingerprints.^{[4]
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- Franklin County, for instance, requires background checks.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Completing Your Application

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Take any necessary courses or exams. Some counties, like Cuyahoga and Franklin counties, require you to take an exam or a course before becoming a notary. The county will provide you with information about when you can take the exam or the course. If you’re taking an exam, the county will supply you with a manual that contains all the information you will need to study for the test.^{[5]
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- The test will cover information about the rules and regulations of being a notary in Ohio. This information can be found in the manual that your county will supply to you.^{[6]
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2
Submit your application. After fulfilling all requirements, submit your application to the county. Most counties charge application fees, so research how much you will have to pay to complete your application. Usually, you will submit your application to the office of the county’s common pleas court.^{[7]
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- Usually, your application will be on paper, and you will deliver it in person or by mail to the common pleas court.
- Check with your county to find out how long it generally takes them to process applications.
3
Obtain your official notary seal. Notaries in Ohio must have an official notary seal that they use to notarize documents. Your seal must feature the Ohio coat of arms, and this coat of arms must be one inch in diameter.
- There are businesses that provide products that notaries need, like official seals. You can research these retailers yourself or ask the county office if they have specific recommendations on where to obtain your seal and other supplies.
- You will have to purchase your official notary seal with your own funds. Prices for seals usually range between $25 and $50.
4
Register your commission with both the state and county government. Usually, the county forwards your application to the Ohio Secretary of State, who issues you a notary public certificate. Once you have that certificate, bring it to your county’s office so they can record it. You will then be officially registered as a notary.^{[8]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Serving as a Notary

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Obtain errors and omissions insurance. Some notaries choose to purchase insurance to protect themselves against liabilities that they might incur in their work. Ohio does not require notaries to have any specific insurance, but you may want to look into taking out a relevant policy, particularly if you notarize a high volume of documents.^{[9]
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- Prices vary depending on the kind of policy you take out, but you can often obtain an errors and omissions insurance policy for around $10 a year.
2
Maintain a record of all duties performed. Notaries are strongly encouraged to maintain exact records of all the documents they notarize. These records can be used if a notarized document is ever lost or contested in court. Many notaries keep journals that record the following for each item they notarize:
- The type of document notarized.
- The type of notarization performed.
- The name of the person whose signature they’re affirming and how they confirmed their identity.
- The date they notarized the document.
- The location in which the document was notarized.^{[10]
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Renew your commission every 5 years. Your notary commission will expire at the end of that period. Renewals, like first-time applications, are managed at the county level, usually through the common pleas court.^{[11]
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- Attorneys are an exception, as they can obtain lifelong notary commissions as long as they remain in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court.^{[12]
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