Document Guide

Ohio notarial act types, requirements, and fee limits.

What do you want to do?

Choose a path below or follow the numbered steps for a full session.

  1. Register your commission and confirm account security setup.
  2. Review Inbox requests and choose the assignment.
  3. Complete the notarization workflow (in-person or RON).
  4. Finish and verify records in Notarization Log.

📋 Ohio Notary Act Types

📋 Acknowledgment $5.00

Purpose: Signer acknowledges they signed willingly

  • REQUIRED Signer must appear in person or via RON
  • REQUIRED Verify identity with satisfactory evidence
  • Signer does NOT need to sign in your presence
  • Common uses: Deeds, contracts, powers of attorney

Certificate Wording: "Acknowledged before me..." ❓

✍️ Jurat $5.00

Purpose: Signer swears under oath that content is true

  • REQUIRED Signer MUST sign in your presence
  • REQUIRED Administer oath or affirmation
  • REQUIRED Verify signer's identity
  • Common uses: Affidavits, depositions, sworn statements

Certificate Wording: "Sworn to or affirmed and subscribed before me..." ❓

👁️ Signature Witnessing $5.00

Purpose: Witness document being signed

  • REQUIRED Signer MUST sign in your presence
  • REQUIRED Verify signer's identity
  • No oath required (key difference from Jurat)
  • Note: Less common than other notarial acts

When to use: When client needs witness signature only, not oath.

🤝 Oath/Affirmation $5.00

Purpose: Administer verbal oath (no document required)

  • REQUIRED Verbal ceremony only (no document involved)
  • REQUIRED Person swears truthfulness
  • REQUIRED Record in notary journal
  • Example: Oath before testifying in court

Journal Entry Required: Must document oath administration with date, time, and person's name.

🚫 Copy Certification (PROHIBITED)

⚠️ Ohio notaries may NOT certify copies. (R.C. 147.141)

Ohio notaries may NOT certify that a document is an original or a true copy of another record. This includes vital records and general documents.

  • ❌ Copy certification
  • ❌ Certification of vital records
  • ❌ Certification of public records

Risk: Performing this act may result in disciplinary action, fines, and loss of commission.

What to tell the client: "Please obtain a certified copy from the issuing agency (courthouse, vital records office, etc.)"

🎯 Common Scenarios & Solutions

😟 Signer Seems Nervous or Scared

What to do:

  • Pause and ask if they're OK. Signs of duress can invalidate the notarization.
  • Ask: "Are you signing this of your own free will?" and listen carefully.
  • If duress is suspected, DO NOT PROCEED. Document and report.
  • Explain clearly what you're doing and why at each step.

Legal Reference: R.C. 147.05 requires signer to act voluntarily.

⏰ Signer's ID is Expired

Can you notarize? ONLY if NOT expired more than 3 years.

Ohio law allows ID expired up to 3 years (R.C. 147.05). For older IDs:

  • Ask for alternate ID that is current
  • Use knowledge-based authentication (KBA) if available
  • For RON: video ID verification may provide additional confidence
  • If no valid ID: DECLINE the notarization
🤔 Not Sure if It's an Acknowledgment or Jurat

Quick test:

  • Is there a certificate on the document? Check what it says.
  • Does it ask for an oath? → It's likely a Jurat
  • Does it just say "acknowledged"? → It's an Acknowledgment
  • Still not sure? Ask the client: "What do you need this for?"

Pro tip: Keep templates for both and let client choose, or ask their attorney.

💵 Signer Questions Your Fee

Ohio Fee Limits:

  • Traditional/Electronic notarization: Max $5 per act
  • RON: Max $30 per act + $10 technology fee per session

You CAN charge less, but NOT more. Always disclose fees upfront.

Good practice: "My fee is $5 per notarial act. I accept [payment methods]."

⚡ How to Handle RON Session Problems

Connection issues?

  • Ask signer to refresh browser and reconnect
  • Verify your own connection
  • If reconnect fails: STOP. Reschedule session.

Signer can't show ID to camera?

  • Adjust lighting or camera angle
  • Have signer physically hold ID near camera
  • If impossible: DECLINE and offer in-person alternative

Must document in journal: Platform used, issues encountered, resolution.

📝 Forgot to Journal Entry—What Now?

For RON: Journal entry is REQUIRED by law.

  • Complete it ASAP (same day if possible)
  • Note: "Late entry on [date]"
  • Include: ID method, ID info, location, platform, fee

For traditional: Still required but less heavily enforced.

Why it matters: Journal is YOUR legal protection. It proves you followed the law.

✅ Ohio Notary Requirements Checklist (0/9 completed)

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Perform Notarization

Select an accepted customer request, review the linked document, then assign your commission and complete the notarial act details.

Session Setup

Step 1

Select Customer Request

Choose an accepted customer request. When the customer uploaded a document, it will appear below for review.

Accepted requests assigned to you will appear here.

Fallback Manual Upload

Only use this if the customer did not upload a file in the customer portal.

Drag & drop or click to upload PDF, JPG, PNG, or GIF files (max 10MB)

No manual fallback upload in use.

Step 2

Assign Commission

Select the commission you are using for this notarization. This is internal notary metadata and is not customer-entered.

Choose the active commission that applies to this appointment.

Signer Information

Ohio Certificate of Title — Notarization Workflow

⚠️ High-complaint area per Ohio SOS. Never notarize if any field is blank or missing.

Common fraud risks (R.C. 4505.06, 4505.07):
  • Signer does not appear in person before you
  • You do not verify the signer's identity with acceptable ID
  • Title is not in the seller's name — do not proceed
  • Any section has blank fields — do not notarize until complete

Step 1: Assignment of Ownership (Seller) — Jurat Required

Seller must swear/affirm that all information is true and correct. Administer oath before seller signs. All fields must be completed before notarization.

Oath to administer to seller:
"Do you swear or affirm that the information on this Certificate of Title is true and correct to the best of your knowledge?"

Step 2: Application for Certificate of Title (Buyer) — Jurat Required

May not be notarized until Step 1 is completed and notarized. Buyer must swear/affirm that all information is true and correct.

Oath to administer to buyer:
"Do you swear or affirm that the information on this Application for Certificate of Title is true and correct to the best of your knowledge?"

Notarization Log

All notarizations performed under your commission.

Journal Snapshot

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Remote Online Notarization

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