How to Become a Notary in Ohio (2026 Guide)

Published March 1, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Standard notaries need no bond and no E&O, a $25,000 bond is required only for electronic estate planning notarizations (HB 315, April 2025)
• You must complete a 3-hour state-approved education course with testing
• BCI background check required (no disqualifying offenses)
• Commission term is 5 years (longer than most states)
• Application fee: $15 | Maximum notarization fee: $5

Ohio has some of the most thorough notary requirements in the country. Standard notaries do not need a bond or E&O insurance. A $25,000 bond is required only if you notarize electronic estate planning documents (HB 315, April 2025). Here’s the current process.

Requirements

To become an Ohio notary public, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be an Ohio resident or a non-resident attorney who practices in Ohio
• Have no disqualifying criminal offenses

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Get a BCI Background Check

Obtain an official Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check. This shows the state you have no disqualifying offenses. Cost is $35–$50. You must complete all steps within 6 months of getting your BCI report or you start over.

Step 2: Complete the 3-Hour Education Course and Exam

Take a 3-hour notary education course from a provider approved by the Ohio Secretary of State. The course includes a test. You must pass it to receive your certificate. If you fail, you wait 30 days to retake. Fail twice and you start the process over. Attorneys are exempt from the exam but not the education requirement. Course cost is approximately $130.

Step 3: Submit Your Application Online

Complete the online application at the Ohio Secretary of State website. Upload your BCI report and course completion certificate. The application fee is $15.

Step 4: Purchase Your Supplies

Ohio requires both of the following (unique among all 50 states):

• A $10,000 surety bond: protects the public from notary misconduct
• Errors and omissions insurance: minimum $5,000 coverage, protects you personally

Standard notaries do not need a bond or E&O insurance. If you plan to notarize electronic estate planning documents (e-wills, e-POAs, living wills), you will need a $25,000 bond and $25,000 E&O per HB 315.

Step 5: Buy Your Notary Stamp

Purchase an ink stamp or embosser that includes your name, “Notary Public,” “State of Ohio,” your county, and your commission expiration date. Cost is $15–$25.

How Much Does It Cost?

Item	Cost
3-hour education course + exam	$130
BCI background check	$35–$50
Application fee	$15
No bond required (standard)	$0
E&O insurance (optional)	$25–$50/year
Notary stamp	$15–$25
Notary journal (recommended)	$10–$50
Total (first year)	$280–$370

How Much Can Ohio Notaries Charge?

Ohio sets the maximum fee at $5 per traditional notarial act and $25 for remote online notarizations. Mobile notaries can charge separate travel fees, the state doesn’t set a maximum, but the signer must agree to the fee in advance.

Do You Need a Notary Journal?

Ohio doesn’t legally require a journal for traditional notarizations, but the state recommends keeping one. Electronic notaries do have record-keeping requirements. A journal is your best protection if a notarization is ever questioned.

Renewal

Ohio notary commissions last 5 years: longer than most states. The renewal process is simpler: take a 1-hour continuing education course ($45), no exam required. Start the renewal process about 3 months before your commission expires. If you perform electronic estate planning notarizations, you’ll need to maintain your bond and E&O.

Remote Online Notarization

Ohio allows notaries to perform Remote Online Notarization (RON). After receiving your regular commission, you can apply for RON authorization through the Secretary of State. You’ll need an approved RON technology provider.

Becoming a Signing Agent in Ohio

Ohio is an attorney state for real estate closings, which means an attorney must be involved in the closing process. However, many Ohio notaries build successful signing agent businesses handling out-of-state loan closings, especially in the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland metro areas. See our guide to becoming a signing agent for training recommendations.

How Much Can Ohio Notaries Charge?

Ohio sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act. This applies to acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and other notarizations. You may charge less or waive your fee entirely. You must provide a fee schedule upon request.

Notarial Acts You Can Perform

• Acknowledgments: verifying the signer appeared before you voluntarily
• Jurats: administering an oath and witnessing signing
• Oaths and affirmations: swearing in a signer
• Certified copies: attesting that a copy is a true copy of an original

Can You Notarize for Family Members in Ohio?

Ohio does not have a specific statute prohibiting notarizing for family members. However, you cannot notarize any document in which you have a direct beneficial interest. Avoid notarizing documents where you, your spouse, or close family members stand to gain financially.

Employer Obligations

• Your notary commission is personal. It cannot be owned or controlled by your employer
• If you leave your job, your stamp, journal, and commission go with you
• Your employer cannot require you to notarize without following proper procedures
• The employer may not restrict your notary services to company business only

How Ohio Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Ohio	Pennsylvania	Michigan	Indiana	Kentucky
Bond	None	$25,000	$10,000	$25,000	$1,000
Exam	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Training	3 hours	3 hours	No	Yes	No
Term	5 years	4 years	6 years	8 years	4 years
Max Fee	$5	$5	$10	$5	None
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Ohio does not require a bond for standard notaries: only for electronic estate planning notarizations. Indiana recently overhauled its requirements (May 2026), now requiring a $25,000 bond, exam, education, and background check. Kentucky requires a $1,000 bond and has no fee cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ohio require a notary bond?

No. Standard Ohio notaries do not need a bond or E&O insurance. A $25,000 bond plus $25,000 E&O is required only if you notarize electronic estate planning documents (electronic wills, electronic POAs, living wills) per HB 315 (April 2025).

Do attorneys need to take the exam?

Attorneys must complete the education course but are exempt from the exam portion.

What are disqualifying offenses?

Convictions for crimes under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2913 (theft-related offenses) or equivalent offenses will disqualify you. Commissioned notaries must self-report any new convictions during their term.

How long does the process take?

Plan on 2 to 4 weeks from submitting your application to receiving your commission. You must complete everything within 6 months of your BCI background check.

Can a felon become a notary in Ohio?

It depends on the offense. Crimes under ORC Chapter 2913 and equivalent offenses are disqualifying. Contact the Secretary of State for questions about specific convictions.

Electronic Estate Planning Notarizations (HB 315)

If you plan to notarize electronic wills, electronic powers of attorney, living wills, or durable health-care POAs, Ohio House Bill 315 (effective April 3, 2025) requires:

• A $25,000 surety bond filed with the Secretary of State
• $25,000 E&O insurance (minimum)
• The bond and E&O must be active before performing any electronic estate planning notarization

This does not apply to standard notarizations, general RON acts, or paper estate planning documents. Most Ohio notaries will never need this bond.

Related Reading

• How to Become a Notary Signing Agent
• How to Become a Notary in Illinois
• How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania
• Dual Tray Laser Printer Recommendations for Signing Agents

Updated May 2026. Requirements based on the Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147.