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.
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: $15
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.
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 costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
Turn Your Ohio Commission Into Income
Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. Learn how Ohio notaries earn, check the platform requirements for Ohio notaries, and browse become-a-notary guides for other states.
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
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 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.