For Notaries · Ohio
How to Become a Notary in Ohio
To become a notary in Ohio, you must be at least 18 and an Ohio resident (or an Ohio-licensed attorney). Ohio requires no surety bond. Complete a 3-hour education course, pass a 30-question exam (attorneys are exempt from the exam), get a BCI background check, and file with the Ohio Secretary of State's $15 fee. Commissions last five years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Ohio. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Ohio or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Ohio is one of the more accessible states for aspiring notaries: there is no surety bond, the state application fee is just $15, and commissions run for five years. What sets Ohio apart is its education-and-testing requirement. Since the 2019 Notary Public Modernization Act moved commissioning to the Ohio Secretary of State, new non-attorney applicants must complete a three-hour course and pass a 30-question exam, and every applicant first orders a BCI criminal background check. Attorneys licensed in Ohio take the course but skip the test, and their commissions never expire while they remain in good standing. Ohio also runs an operative remote online notarization program, so once you are commissioned you can add online notary authorization and notarize for signers who appear by live video.
Ohio Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old and a legal resident of Ohio (non-resident attorneys licensed to practice in Ohio, with their principal place of business or primary practice in the state, also qualify), with no disqualifying criminal offenses under Ohio Revised Code 9.79. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. Ohio does not mandate a surety bond for a standard notary commission. A separate $25,000 bond applies only to notaries who choose to notarize certain electronic estate-planning documents under 2025's House Bill 315. |
| State filing fee | $15 application fee to the Ohio Secretary of State |
| Commission term | 5 years for non-attorney notaries. Attorneys commissioned through the Ohio Supreme Court hold their notary office without a fixed expiration, as long as they stay in good standing and Ohio-based. |
| Notary education | Required. New non-attorney applicants must complete a three-hour education program from a Secretary of State-authorized provider. Ohio attorneys must also take the education course. |
| Exam | Required for non-attorney applicants: a 30-question multiple-choice test administered by an authorized provider, with an 80% passing score (24 of 30). Ohio attorneys are exempt from the exam but not the education. |
Ohio's notary exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, and non-attorney applicants must answer at least 80% correctly (24 of 30) to pass, after completing a three-hour education course. — Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Education and Testing
How to Become a Notary in Ohio: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18 years old and a legal Ohio resident (or an Ohio-licensed attorney with your primary practice in the state), with no disqualifying offenses under Ohio Revised Code 9.79.
- 2
Order your BCI background check
Request a criminal records check through Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). It must be current within six months of your application, so order it early - results can take a few weeks.
- 3
Complete education and pass the exam
Take a three-hour course from a Secretary of State-authorized provider and pass the 30-question test (80% to pass). Attorneys take the course but are exempt from the test. Providers typically charge around $130 for education and testing.
- 4
Submit your application and $15 fee
Apply online through the Ohio Secretary of State at notary.ohiosos.gov, upload your education/exam certificate and background check, and pay the $15 commission application fee.
- 5
Receive your commission and start notarizing
Once approved, you receive a five-year commission. Order your notary stamp and record book, then begin notarizing. You can also apply for online notary authorization to perform remote online notarizations.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Ohio
Ohio has operative remote online notarization (RON). You must first hold (or be applying for) a traditional Ohio commission, then complete additional RON education and an exam, choose a Secretary of State-approved RON technology platform, and submit an online notary authorization application to the Ohio Secretary of State.
Online / remote notary application fee: $20 to the Secretary of State, plus a one-time $250 education & testing fee paid to the approved provider
RON has been operative in Ohio since the 2019 Notary Public Modernization Act; 2025's House Bill 315 raised the maximum RON notarization fee to $30, plus a technology fee of up to $10 per session. Online notaries must also complete continuing education.
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Ohio remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Ohio instead? Notarize online with a Ohio commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Ohio
Ohio allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Ohio commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Ohio? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Ohio?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee (Secretary of State) | $15 (fixed by the state) |
| Education and testing | About $130, paid to an authorized provider |
| BCI criminal background check | Around $40 (varies) |
| Notary stamp/seal and supplies | Varies by vendor |
| Online notary (RON) authorization | $15 (fixed by the state, optional) |
See what USA Notary costs a Ohio notary for platform-side details.
What an Ohio Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Ohio caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $5 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $30 + tech |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Ohio compares with every other state in the how Ohio fees compare across all 50 states.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Ohio
Commission term in Ohio
5 years for non-attorney notaries. Attorneys commissioned through the Ohio Supreme Court hold their notary office without a fixed expiration, as long as they stay in good standing and Ohio-based.
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Ohio Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Ohio notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Ohio notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Does Ohio require a bond to become a notary?
No. Ohio does not require a surety bond for a standard notary public commission. The only exception is a $25,000 bond that applies specifically to notaries who choose to notarize certain electronic estate-planning documents under 2025's House Bill 315.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Ohio?
The Ohio Secretary of State application fee is $15. Beyond that, expect roughly $130 for the required education and testing paid to an authorized provider, around $40 for the BCI criminal background check, and the cost of your notary stamp and supplies. Adding online notary (RON) authorization is an additional $15 state fee.
Do I have to pass an exam to become an Ohio notary?
Yes, if you are not an attorney. Non-attorney applicants must complete a three-hour education course and pass a 30-question multiple-choice exam, answering at least 80% correctly. Attorneys licensed in Ohio must take the education course but are exempt from the exam.
How long is an Ohio notary commission valid?
A non-attorney notary commission in Ohio lasts five years and must be renewed to stay active. Attorney notaries commissioned through the Ohio Supreme Court do not have an expiring term, as long as they remain in good standing and Ohio-based.
Can I become a remote online notary in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio's remote online notarization program is operative. You must first hold (or be applying for) a traditional Ohio commission, then complete additional RON training and an exam, choose a Secretary of State-approved technology platform, and submit an online notary authorization application with a $15 fee. Once authorized, you can join USA Notary for assigned, paid remote signings.
Who commissions notaries in Ohio?
The Ohio Secretary of State. Since the 2019 Notary Public Modernization Act, commissioning is handled statewide through the Secretary of State rather than county courts. You apply online at notary.ohiosos.gov after completing your background check, education, and exam.
How much can a notary charge in Ohio?
Ohio's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $5, per act or signature.
How much can a Ohio notary charge for online notarization?
Ohio's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $30 + tech, against $5 in person.
When does a Ohio notary commission expire?
The Ohio commission term is: 5 years for non-attorney notaries. Attorneys commissioned through the Ohio Supreme Court hold their notary office without a fixed expiration, as long as they stay in good standing and Ohio-based. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Ohio cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a Ohio loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby East North Central guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Ohio Secretary of State - Notary
- Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Education and Testing
- Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Application Process
- American Society of Notaries - Ohio Requirements
This guide summarizes public requirements from Ohio's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.