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Online Notary Information

PLEASE NOTE: The Cincinnati Bar Association is no longer handling Notary services. Please contact the Ohio Notary Services for more information.

Online notarization become legal in Ohio in September 2019. The ability to have a document notarized online simplifies the entire process for notaries and clients alike. There are many benefits that include the ability to:

  • Provide a welcome service to clients who simply are not able to make it to an office.
  • Maintain social distance in times like we are experiencing.
  • Be confident about the identity of the person seeking your services through advanced security safeguards required by law.
  • “Go Green” with digital-only copies of the documents being notarized
  • Offer clients a video recording of the entire notarization process
  • Receive the state maximum fee of $25.00 per notarization.

Along with the above benefits there are some considerations that need to be resolved before taking the leap.

  • Research and secure a technology vendor that will meet your notarization needs. There are many vendors in the market place.This is a critical step before you begin your application with the Secretary of State.As Ohio’s online education and testing provider, Ohio Notary Services does not recommend any particular vendor.
  • Know that your clients must also have technology that allows them to access the Internet
  • Be aware of the State-mandated fee for the education and testing: $250.
  • Don’t begin the education until you are certain you have the time to closely watch the educational video. The two-hour training video is required by statute and was approved by the Secretary of State’s office. Please pay close attention to the information provided and take notes. You may not be familiar with the information covered under the new law.
  • We are discovering that people are multitasking while watching it and they are not passing the required test. If you fail the exam, statute requires a 30-day waiting period before you can make a second attempt.  ONS cannot waive the 30-day waiting period.

We believe that online notarization is the way of the future and if nothing else, our current pandemic life indicates that there is a need for the service. We’re glad to help with you meet your education requirements as you add online notarizations to the skills you can offer your clients.

www.becomeanohionotary.com

 

Online Notary Public Referral

Ohio Notary Services has created an Online Notary Public Referral program. They have compiled a list of authorized online notaries who have indicated their ability to help you during this time. They will go through the list on an even and equitable basis in order to be fair to all. Please email info@becomeanohionotary and ask for a referral. They are not charging for this service, but are hopeful it allows you to serve your clients to the best of your ability. (Please note: Due to our current situation regarding the pandemic, we have not had the opportunity to vet the notaries on the list. We created this to fill the void of in-person notaries due to social distancing.) We've asked the notaries to respond to you quickly, but please feel free to ask for a second referral if you need one.

About Ohio Notary Services

Ohio Notary Services, LLC is a unique, joint venture by the Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo and the Ohio State bar associations to help you meet all your notary education and testing requirements under the new law. We bring extensive notary expertise and experience, statewide reach and unmatched convenience. Become an Ohio Notary!

OHIO-OWNED.
LOCATED IN OHIO.
OHIOANS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

The ONLY entity selected to provide the education and training to be a traditional Ohio Notary Public and an Ohio Online Notary Public.

We are your one-stop shop for meeting the education and testing requirements to earn or renew your traditional notary commission and become authorized as an online notary public in Ohio, plus you can order your supplies from us too! No need to go anywhere else.

Earn or Renew Your Traditional Notary

We’ve got you covered there, too. In fact, because of our unique partnership we are the most experienced notary education provider in the state. Complete all your required training and testing online or in person at one of six convenient locations. You can renew existing commissions with us up to 90 days in advance…just don’t miss your expiration date or the law requires you to start over as a new notary!

Become an Online Notary

Ohio law allows for the online notarization of documents by authorized online notaries public. Save yourself, your company and those seeking to have something notarized time and money with this new designation.

Ohio Notary Services is the Ohio Secretary of State’s sole authorized provider for training and testing to become an online notary.

New Notary Law Checklist

  1. Obtain a formal Bureau of Criminal Investigation records check (BCI) current within six months of application. Visit https://bit.ly/2kH0pfn for information on obtaining the records check. If the records check does not contain disqualifying offenses, then the applicant may proceed to the next step. Use BCI Code: 147.22
  2. Visit www.becomeanohionotary.com. Create an account and select whether you want to take an in-person class and test (if required) or if you wish to do both online.
  3. Attend the class or watch the online video and take the test (if required.) Upon verifying successful completion of both Ohio Notary Services will provide you with a certificate for submission to the Secretary of State.
  4. Visit https://www.sos.state.oh.us/notary/#gref and select File Online to create an account and submit your application.
  5. Return to www.becomeanohionotary.com when you receive your notary commission to purchase all of your notary supplies. Now, free standard shipping on all notary bundles! (Use the code “FREE”)

Visit www.becomeanohionotary.com to get started.

Supplies

Newly commissioned? New expiration date? Need a replacement stamp or journal? Ohio Notary Services is your source for notary supplies too. Access our store from www.becomeanohionotary.com or directly via www.ohionotarystore.com.