Ohio Notary Law and Statutory Requirements
Commission source and qualifications
Ohio notaries are commissioned by the Ohio Secretary of State under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147, not by a county official, court, or the governor. A candidate must be at least 18, must be an Ohio resident or an attorney licensed in Ohio, and must not be disqualified by law. The application process includes an application, an oath, and a surety bond; Ohio law commonly sets the bond at $5,000. A commission lasts five years, not for life and not for a single county. Once commissioned, the notary may perform notarial acts anywhere in Ohio.
Seal and official identity
The official seal must show the notary’s name as commissioned, the words “Notary Public,” “State of Ohio,” and the commission expiration date. The notary signs each certificate using the commissioned name. The seal is for notarial acts only; using it on ordinary business papers or to imply legal authority is improper. Notaries must keep the Secretary of State informed of changes such as a name change or address change, and must renew before expiration.
Traps and rule of thumb
Common exam traps are: “a notary’s authority is limited to the county of residence” (false); “the governor appoints notaries” (false); “the commission never expires” (false); “the bond is optional” (false); and “a notary may notarize anywhere in the United States” (false). A move within Ohio does not automatically void the commission, but the notary should update the Secretary of State. Worked example: a notary commissioned in Franklin County moves to Lucas County. The commission remains valid statewide; the notary updates the address with the Secretary of State and continues using the same seal unless the name or expiration date changes. Rule of thumb: statewide authority, five-year term, Secretary of State oversight.