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How to become a notary public in Ohio

Ohio licenses notaries statewide through the Secretary of State.1 For the Notary Public license you need a passing score on the Notary test given by an entity authorized by the Secretary of State (ORC 147.021)1 and a criminal background check1.

Last checked · 1 official sources

Who issues it

Secretary of State

Training and experience

An approved education program; see the requirements

Exam

Notary test given by an entity authorized by the Secretary of State (ORC 147.021)1

From another state

Universal license recognition1 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Notary Public license
  2. Requirements for a Notary Public license
  3. How to apply
  4. Renewal and continuing education
  5. Moving to Ohio with a license from another state
  6. City and county rules
  7. Laws and rules
  8. Common questions
  9. Notary public licenses in other states

Who needs a Notary Public license

Commissioned as a notary public for the whole state of Ohio.1

Requirements for a Notary Public license

Minimum age
18 years old1
Education or training
Must complete an educational program given by an entity authorized by the Secretary of State under ORC 147.021. Attorneys applying after September 20, 2019 must also complete it; attorneys commissioned before that date are exempt.1
Exam
Notary test given by an entity authorized by the Secretary of State (ORC 147.021)1
Background check
Background check required1
The criminal records check report must be completed within the previous six months and show no conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a disqualifying offense as determined under ORC 9.79.1
Residency or citizenship
Must be a legal resident of Ohio, or a non-resident attorney admitted to practice law in Ohio by the Ohio Supreme Court whose principal place of business or primary practice is in Ohio. Applicants who already hold a notary commission or license in another state are commissioned under ORC 147.01(F) and ORC Chapter 4796 instead.1
Also required
Before acting, the notary must appear in person before a notary public or another officer authorized to give oaths and take the oath of office.1
Also required
All applications and renewals must be filed electronically with the Secretary of State.1

How to apply

  1. Check you qualify: 18 or older and an Ohio legal resident (or an Ohio-admitted attorney whose main place of business or practice is in Ohio).1
  2. Get a criminal records check report under ORC 147.022 (it must be no more than six months old when you apply). Ohio attorneys and peace officers skip this step.1
  3. Complete the education program and pass the test given by an entity the Secretary of State has authorized. Attorneys applying after September 20, 2019 complete the education only.1
  4. Apply to the Ohio Secretary of State electronically; paper filings are not accepted.1
  5. After you are commissioned, take the oath of office in person before a notary public or another officer who can give oaths, before performing any notarial act.1

Renewal and continuing education

If it expires
If the Secretary of State revokes a notary's commission (on a court judgment or satisfactory evidence of official misconduct or incapacity), the person is ineligible for reappointment.1

Moving to Ohio with a license from another state

These are the routes the Secretary of State publishes for the Notary Public license.

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
The Secretary of State must commission an applicant who holds a notary commission or license in another state, under Ohio's universal licensure law (ORC Chapter 4796).1
Conditions
The 147.01(B) qualification list (age, residency, criminal records check, education and test) applies "except as provided in division (F)".1

City and county rules

No local license. The Ohio Secretary of State processes all notary applications and issues all commissions, statewide.1

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my notary public license to Ohio?

The Secretary of State publishes this route for the Notary Public license: universal license recognition1. Conditions and forms.

Notary public licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Ohio Revised Code 147.01 Appointment and commission of notaries publicOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated April 3, 2025Checked November 7, 2026