Notary and Apostille Law: Becoming a Notary and Renewing your Commission

In Ohio the requirements to become a notary are now statewide. As of September 20, 2019, the Ohio Secretary of State's Office is the place to start your notary application. The Columbus Bar Association is a certified provider of notary education. This libguide will feature the CBA's services for Franklin County.

Notary Application Process

The CBA provides Notary Public services for all of Ohio now. The Columbus Bar Associations provides and processes notary applications and exams, offer notary training seminars, sell stamps and supplies, and answer questions about becoming a Notary Public. It also does the background check for you. However, the CBA is not certified to provide the testing required to obtain authorization to provide online notarizations.

The only certified provider of education and testing for both traditional and online notarizations. However, you must first pay a $15 to the Secretary of State's office for the background check.

Links

Steps to becoming a Notary

1. Obtain a criminal background check, current within six months of the application. Background checks can be obtained at the CBA by appointment.
2. Register for the onlinenotary seminar and test.
3. Complete this online application at the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
4. You will receive your notary commission in the mail.Your commission will expire 5 years from the date it was issued and your commission information will be posted on a public searchable database on the Secretary of State's website.
5. Order your notary stamp here.
6. Begin notarizing documents.
7. Unless you are an attorney, your notary commission will expire in five years. This date will be printed on your notary stamp. At that time, you will need to file an application to renew your notary commission. You will need to get a new background check and take a one hour continuing education class. You will also need to purchase a new stamp.

This law made the following amendments to notary law:

Amends the definition of acknowledgment.
An acknowledgment means a declaration by an individual before a notary public that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record, and if the record is signed in a representative capacity, that the individual signed the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity identified in the record.
It is important for a notary public to understand all requirements set forth in Chapter 147 related to notarial acts. Additional code sections should be referenced to understand prohibitions such as not performing a notarial act if it appears the person is mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the document at the time of notarization. Further, section 147.53 states how to take an acknowledgment and section 147.54 provides information regarding the language required in an acknowledgment notarial certificate.
States a peace officer does not need to submit a criminal records report (BCI Report) when applying for a notary commission.
A peace officer must upload their Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Certificate in lieu of the BCI report when submitting a notary commission application and renewal application.
Removes language from ORC 147.542 stating an acknowledgment certificate shall state no oath or affirmation was given.
Adds a statutory short form of acknowledgment for a limited liability company.
Corrects error with language for the jurat certificate to require the name of the signer instead of their signature.
Removes notary requirements for a variety of motor vehicle title documents when a licensed motor vehicle dealer is a party to the transfer of that motor vehicle.
Removes the requirement that a power of attorney be notarized when a person grants that POA to a licensed motor vehicle dealer or the dealer’s agent for the transfer of motor vehicle title.

The Notary Public Modernization Act has passed. Most provisions effective 09/20/19; Certain provisions effective 03/20/19 and 07/01/19.