Notary Public
Ohio
Notary Public Commission Requirements
5 years
Commission Term
before renewal
3 hours
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
UNVERIFIED
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedObtain a criminal records check (submit within 6 months of obtaining; attorneys exempt)
Complete a 3-hour notary education course from an authorized provider
Pass the notary exam administered by the education provider (attorneys exempt)
Apply online with the Ohio Secretary of State, paying the $15 filing fee
Take the oath of office (up to $5 fee)
Purchase a notary seal/stamp
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be an Ohio resident, OR a non-resident attorney licensed in Ohio with principal place of business in Ohio
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship or legal residency required
Background Check
Criminal records check is required. Must submit results to Secretary of State within 6 months of obtaining the records check. Licensed Ohio attorneys are exempt from the criminal records check requirement. No disqualifying offenses (fraud, theft, violent crimes per state code).
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required3 hours
Must complete a 3-hour notary training course from a state-approved authorized testing provider. Licensed Ohio attorneys must take the 3-hour class but are exempt from the exam.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredExam is administered by the education provider at the end of the training course. 30-day wait required between failed attempts. Licensed Ohio attorneys are exempt from the exam requirement (but must still take the course).
Passing score: UNVERIFIED
Administered by: State-approved authorized testing provider
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredOhio does NOT require a surety bond for standard notary public commissions. However, a bond and insurance IS required for performing electronic estate planning notarizations, with proof filed with the Secretary of State.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required for standard notary commissions. It is optional but recommended. E&O is required for electronic estate planning notarizations.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredStamp or embosser required. Must contain: state coat of arms (3/4" to 1" diameter), 'Notary Public' or 'Notarial Seal,' notary's name, and 'State of Ohio.'
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $15 |
Bond Premium Ohio does not require a surety bond for standard notary commissions. | N/A - no bond required |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Includes training course and exam from authorized provider. | $130 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes criminal records check ($22), training/exam ($130), application ($15), oath of office (up to $5), notary seal ($30). No bond cost. | ~$202 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
5 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application with fees. Must complete education course and exam again. Must submit new criminal records check (unless exempt as attorney).
Renewal Fee
$15
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
House Bill 315 (effective April 3, 2025) established Ohio's permanent remote online notarization framework. The notary must be physically located in Ohio when performing RON; the signer may be located outside Ohio.
Additional Requirements
Must complete a 2-hour SOS-approved online notarization course and pass a RON exam. Must submit 'Remote Online Notarization Authorization Application' via SOS portal with a $20 filing fee. Must use approved platform with two-way live audio/video and credential analysis. Must verify signer identity through credential analysis, identity proofing, or credible witnesses. Must maintain electronic journal. Online notary may charge up to $30 per notarization plus $10 technology fee (effective April 4, 2025). Secretary of State has expanded authority including revoking/suspending commissions without formal hearing.
Important Notes
What Makes Ohio Unique
Ohio is notable for not requiring a surety bond for standard notary commissions and for its 5-year term. The seal must include the state coat of arms, which is unique among U.S. states. HB 315 (effective April 2025) introduced one of the higher RON fee structures: up to $30 per notarization plus $10 technology fee. The 30-day wait between failed exam attempts is also distinctive.
Ohio does NOT require a surety bond for standard notary commissions - unusual among U.S. states.
5-year commission term (longer than the more common 4-year term in many states).
Criminal records check required (not fingerprinting) with 6-month submission deadline.
Licensed Ohio attorneys are exempt from both the exam and criminal records check (but must still take the course).
Name/address changes require 30-day notification to Secretary of State.
Maximum fee per standard notarial act is $5, plus negotiated travel fees.
Notary journal is recommended but not legally required for traditional notarizations.
Ohio seal uniquely requires the state coat of arms.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
exam_passing_score
The specific passing score for the Ohio notary exam was not explicitly stated in official sources or NNA. Multiple searches did not yield a confirmed passing percentage.
Marked passing_score as UNVERIFIED. Exam requirement is confirmed; exact threshold needs verification from authorized testing provider.
Sources
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