Ohio Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice
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Notary Public Commission
Statewide notary public commission. Ohio law describes this as a public office rather than an occupational or professional license.
Licensing authority: Ohio Secretary of State · Application information
Commission based on an existing notary commission or license under Chapter 4796
- Applicant Status
- Applicant personally holds a substantially similar notary commission or license issued elsewhere, including the uniformed services as provided by R.C. 4796.02.
- Board Contrary Statement
- The Secretary of State's Notary Law Updates page, under Senate Bill 131, states: "Reciprocity Removed: Ohio law no longer provides reciprocity for notary commissions or remote online authorizations." (https://www.ohiosos.gov/notary/law-updates; verified through server-side access October 4, 2026 after local retrieval failed.) The retained routes follow the express current R.C. 147.01(F) and 147.63(D)(1) provisions; applicants should obtain the Secretary's determination.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Satisfy R.C. 4796.03(G); provide the criminal records check required under R.C. 4796.08(B), with the Ohio attorney and peace-officer exemptions where applicable.
- Disciplinary History
- No surrender or revocation for negligence or intentional misconduct; pending complaints or investigations are resolved before issuance under R.C. 4796.20(B).
- Exam Discretion
- Under R.C. 4796.08(A), the authority may require the Ohio law examination otherwise required for the respective authority; the examination leaf records that conditional examination, not an assertion that every applicant must sit it.
- Fees
- Pay the fee the authority determines under R.C. 4796.03(F).
- Good Standing
- Good standing in every jurisdiction where the qualifying authority is held.
- Prior Practice
- Normally hold the qualifying authority for at least one year immediately preceding application and practice at least one of the preceding five years; the authority may waive this requirement under R.C. 4796.03(B)(2).
- Prior Qualification
- The issuing jurisdiction required minimum education, training, experience or an examination, subject to R.C. 4796.03(D)(2). Any examination of another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not an Ohio examination leaf.
New commission after expiration — non attorney
- Application
- Submit electronically to the Ohio Secretary of State; before entering upon duties, appear personally before a notary or another authorized officer and take the oath of office.
- Background Check
- Submit a criminal records check report completed within the preceding six months.
- Commission Status
- Expired non-attorney commission: R.C. 147.031(D) forbids renewal and permits a new commission application; no grace period.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Disqualifying offenses are determined under R.C. 9.79. A revoked commission makes the person ineligible for reappointment.
- Education
- Successfully complete three hours of approved initial notary education.
- Fees
- Pay the authorized provider fee of $130 and the Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
- Minimum Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Provider Score Statements
- Ohio Notary Services FAQ says: "The Ohio Notary Exam has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass." Its exam guide also says: "Pass the Ohio Notary Exam by answering at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly" (https://www.becomeanohionotary.com/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=91231). These conflicting provider statements do not change the examination requirement; confirm the provider's current threshold.
- Residency
- Legal Ohio resident; an Ohio-admitted attorney may instead have the principal place of business or primary practice in Ohio.
- Retakes
- Wait at least 30 days before the one permitted retake, within six months of the criminal records check; after the second failure restart with a new application and fee.
New commission after expiration — peace officer
- Applicant Status
- Peace officer who is not an Ohio-admitted attorney.
- Application
- Submit electronically to the Ohio Secretary of State; before entering upon duties, appear personally before a notary or another authorized officer and take the oath of office.
- Background Check
- Peace officers are exempt from the criminal records check under R.C. 147.01(B)(3)(b); the examination exemption applies only to attorneys.
- Commission Status
- Expired non-attorney commission: R.C. 147.031(D) forbids renewal and permits a new commission application; no grace period.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Disqualifying offenses are determined under R.C. 9.79. A revoked commission makes the person ineligible for reappointment.
- Education
- Successfully complete three hours of approved initial notary education.
- Fees
- Pay the authorized provider fee of $130 and the Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
- Minimum Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Provider Score Statements
- Ohio Notary Services FAQ says: "The Ohio Notary Exam has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass." Its exam guide also says: "Pass the Ohio Notary Exam by answering at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly" (https://www.becomeanohionotary.com/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=91231). These conflicting provider statements do not change the examination requirement; confirm the provider's current threshold.
- Residency
- Legal Ohio resident; an Ohio-admitted attorney may instead have the principal place of business or primary practice in Ohio.
- Retakes
- Wait at least 30 days before the one permitted retake, within six months of the criminal records check; after the second failure restart with a new application and fee.
Initial commission — Ohio admitted attorneys
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Applicant Status
- Attorney admitted to practice law in Ohio.
- Application
- Submit electronically to the Ohio Secretary of State; before entering upon duties, appear personally before a notary or another authorized officer and take the oath of office.
- Background Check
- Ohio-admitted attorneys are exempt from the criminal records check.
- Commission Term
- Commission continues while residency or Ohio principal business/primary practice and Ohio Supreme Court good standing persist, unless revoked.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Disqualifying offenses are determined under R.C. 9.79. A revoked commission makes the person ineligible for reappointment.
- Education
- Complete the three-hour education program; an attorney commissioned before September 20, 2019 is exempt from the education and test requirements under R.C. 147.01(B)(4)(b).
- Fees
- Pay the provider education fee of $75 and the Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
- Minimum Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Residency
- Legal Ohio resident; an Ohio-admitted attorney may instead have the principal place of business or primary practice in Ohio.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2025-04-03.
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.01(B)(4)(c)
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-03(B)
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.01(A)–(B)(4)(c)
Initial commission by examination — non attorney applicants
- Application
- Submit electronically to the Ohio Secretary of State; before entering upon duties, appear personally before a notary or another authorized officer and take the oath of office.
- Background Check
- Submit a criminal records check report completed within the preceding six months.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Disqualifying offenses are determined under R.C. 9.79. A revoked commission makes the person ineligible for reappointment.
- Education
- Successfully complete three hours of approved initial notary education.
- Fees
- Pay the authorized provider fee of $130 and the Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
- Minimum Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Provider Score Statements
- Ohio Notary Services FAQ says: "The Ohio Notary Exam has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass." Its exam guide also says: "Pass the Ohio Notary Exam by answering at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly" (https://www.becomeanohionotary.com/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=91231). These conflicting provider statements do not change the examination requirement; confirm the provider's current threshold.
- Residency
- Legal Ohio resident; an Ohio-admitted attorney may instead have the principal place of business or primary practice in Ohio.
- Retakes
- Wait at least 30 days before the one permitted retake, within six months of the criminal records check; after the second failure restart with a new application and fee.
Initial commission by examination — non attorney peace officers
- Applicant Status
- Peace officer who is not an Ohio-admitted attorney.
- Application
- Submit electronically to the Ohio Secretary of State; before entering upon duties, appear personally before a notary or another authorized officer and take the oath of office.
- Background Check
- Peace officers are exempt from the criminal records check under R.C. 147.01(B)(3)(b); the examination exemption applies only to attorneys.
- Criminal Eligibility
- Disqualifying offenses are determined under R.C. 9.79. A revoked commission makes the person ineligible for reappointment.
- Education
- Successfully complete three hours of approved initial notary education.
- Fees
- Pay the authorized provider fee of $130 and the Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
- Minimum Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Provider Score Statements
- Ohio Notary Services FAQ says: "The Ohio Notary Exam has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass." Its exam guide also says: "Pass the Ohio Notary Exam by answering at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly" (https://www.becomeanohionotary.com/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=91231). These conflicting provider statements do not change the examination requirement; confirm the provider's current threshold.
- Residency
- Legal Ohio resident; an Ohio-admitted attorney may instead have the principal place of business or primary practice in Ohio.
- Retakes
- Wait at least 30 days before the one permitted retake, within six months of the criminal records check; after the second failure restart with a new application and fee.
Timely commission renewal — non attorney
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Applicant Status
- Non-attorney applicant who is not a peace officer.
- Application
- Submit the prescribed electronic renewal application before expiration.
- Background Check
- Submit a new criminal records check report as required under R.C. 147.01(B)(3), completed within the preceding six months.
- Commission Status
- Current five-year non-attorney commission; apply beginning three months before expiration and before the commission expires.
- Education
- Complete one hour of approved continuing education no earlier than twelve months before commission expiration.
- Fees
- Pay the provider continuing education fee of $45 and Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2019-09-20.
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.031(B)–(D)
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-03(C)
- Ohio Notary Services — tips
FAQs — Do I need to take a notary test if I am renewing?
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.01(B)(3)(b)
Timely commission renewal — peace officer
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Applicant Status
- Non-attorney peace officer.
- Application
- Submit the prescribed electronic renewal application before expiration.
- Background Check
- Peace officers are exempt under R.C. 147.01(B)(3)(b).
- Commission Status
- Current five-year non-attorney commission; apply beginning three months before expiration and before the commission expires.
- Education
- Complete one hour of approved continuing education no earlier than twelve months before commission expiration.
- Fees
- Pay the provider continuing education fee of $45 and Secretary of State filing fee of $15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2019-09-20.
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.031(B)–(D)
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-03(C)
- Ohio Notary Services — tips
FAQs — Do I need to take a notary test if I am renewing?
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.01(B)(3)(b)
Ohio Notary Public Exam
- Format
- Knowledge examination; authorized provider offers online multiple-choice delivery.
Examination outline
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
Examination sources
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
R.C. 147.021(A)(1)
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 — Notaries Public and Commissioners
Chapter heading
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
Chapter heading
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-02(F)
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-02(C)–(E)
- Ohio Notary Services — faq
How Many Questions Are On The Notary Exam In Ohio?
- Ohio Notary Services — traditional
Step 3 — online education and examination
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-03(A)(1)
- Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 111:6-1 — Notary Commission Requirements
O.A.C. 111:6-1-03(A)(3) — retake boundary