frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Is The Process For Becoming A Notary In Ohio?
Step 1 Obtain a formal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check within six (6) months of your notary application to the Secretary of State. Visit the Bureau of Criminal Investigation website for information on the records check. Use BCI Code 147.22 - this MUST appear on the report. Have the report mailed to your home. Previous background checks (for employers, CCW, etc.) may not be used UNLESS they contain that code.
The Secretary of State’s Office must reject an application if the background check lists a disqualifying offense or is older than six months. A list of offenses is here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/notary/criminal-records-check/. If the records check does not contain disqualifying offenses, then the applicant may proceed to the education/testing step. (As of October 9, 2021 HB 263 (The Fresh Start Act) prohibits rejecting a commission application/renewal based solely on a disqualifying offense appearing on a BCI report. The list of disqualifying offenses will remain the same, however, will now give the Secretary of State the ability to consider additional factors. The law states the look-back period for a disqualifying offense, that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, generally is limited to five years. If an application is rejected based on a disqualifying offense, the applicant may file an appeal, and have an administrative hearing to review the determination.)
You must submit your background check report with your application to the Secretary of State at this link: https://notary.ohiosos.gov/
You may begin your education prior to completing the background check, but the Secretary of State recommends the background check be completed first.
Step 2Within 6 months of completing your background check, you must successfully complete a 3-hour notary class and pass the test. Ohio Notary Services classes are available online at the online notary institute. The fee for the class and test is $130.00 paid directly to Ohio Notary Services. Any change to notary class registration is subject to a $15.00 change fee.
Step 3Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website and select File Online to submit your application - Apply to become an Ohio notary or online notary via the Ohio Secretary of State’s Notary website at www.sos.state.oh.us. A $15.00 application fee must be paid directly to the Secretary of State with a credit or debit card when the application is submitted. Once you pass the test, Ohio Notary Services will issue you a certificate, which you will need to upload to the Secretary of State’s website. The Secretary of State will process your completed application and, if approved, it will issue your commission directly to you after you have affirmed your compliance with the rules. Your commission will expire 5 years from the date is was issued and your commission information will be posted on a public searchable database on the Secretary of State’s website.
Step 4Purchase your notary public supplies.
Q. What Are The Costs Involved For The Education And Testing?A. The costs to become a traditional notary are:Non-Attorney: $130.00Attorney: $75.00Renewal: $45.00The costs to become a remote online notary (RON) are:Attorneys and Non-Attorneys: $250.00Renewals: $160.00 Q. What Happens If I Fail The Test?A. If you fail the test you can register, free of charge, to take the test again after a 30-day waiting period. Please note that your test must be successfully completed within 6 months of your BCI background check. Please note you may only take the exam two times before you have to register for the class again and pay an additional $130.00.
Q. May I Have A Refund For The Fees I Paid To Ohio Notary Services, LLC?A. Refunds are not permitted. The Secretary of State's website is clear on this matter. Please be certain that you register for the correct type of class (traditional notary commission vs online notary authorization.)
Q. If I Do Not Know My Notary Commission Number, How Can I Find It?A. Please visit the Secretary of State's website to search their notary database to locate your commission number.
Q. Is The Education Course Optional Or Required And What Is The Fee?A. The education course is mandatory and must be taken though an authorized testing provider. Ohio Notary Services is an authorized testing provider and offers all of the education in a convenient online notary class format. The fee for the education course is $130.00, which includes the 3-hour class with the test being administered immediately after the class. The certificate of completion will be provided immediately following the test.
Q. My Commission Has Expired; Do I Need To Retest And What Are The Requirements?A. Yes. Under the Notary Modernization Act, once your commission has expired you are treated as a new applicant and must follow the new notary application process, including the BCI background check, completing the Secretary of State New Notary Application, and taking the 3-hour education course and test. There is no grace period.
Q. My Commission Expires This Year; How Soon Can I Begin The Process To Renew My Commission?A. Under the new law, you may begin the renewal process no sooner than 90 days before your commission expiration date.
Step 1 Obtain a formal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check within six (6) months of your notary application to the Secretary of State. Visit the Bureau of Criminal Investigation website for information on the records check. Use BCI Code 147.22 - this MUST appear on the report. Have the report mailed to your home. Previous background checks (for employers, CCW, etc.) may not be used UNLESS they contain that code.
The Secretary of State’s Office must reject an application if the background check lists a disqualifying offense or is older than six months. A list of offenses is here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/notary/criminal-records-check/. If the records check does not contain disqualifying offenses, then the applicant may proceed to the education/testing step. (As of October 9, 2021 HB 263 (The Fresh Start Act) prohibits rejecting a commission application/renewal based solely on a disqualifying offense appearing on a BCI report. The list of disqualifying offenses will remain the same, however, will now give the Secretary of State the ability to consider additional factors. The law states the look-back period for a disqualifying offense, that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, generally is limited to five years. If an application is rejected based on a disqualifying offense, the applicant may file an appeal, and have an administrative hearing to review the determination.)
You must submit your background check report with your application to the Secretary of State at this link: https://notary.ohiosos.gov/
You may begin your education prior to completing the background check, but the Secretary of State recommends the background check be completed first.
Step 2Within 6 months of completing your background check, you must successfully complete a 3-hour notary class and pass the test. Ohio Notary Services classes are available online at the online notary institute. The fee for the class and test is $130.00 paid directly to Ohio Notary Services. Any change to notary class registration is subject to a $15.00 change fee.
Step 3Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website and select File Online to submit your application - Apply to become an Ohio notary or online notary via the Ohio Secretary of State’s Notary website at www.sos.state.oh.us. A $15.00 application fee must be paid directly to the Secretary of State with a credit or debit card when the application is submitted. Once you pass the test, Ohio Notary Services will issue you a certificate, which you will need to upload to the Secretary of State’s website. The Secretary of State will process your completed application and, if approved, it will issue your commission directly to you after you have affirmed your compliance with the rules. Your commission will expire 5 years from the date is was issued and your commission information will be posted on a public searchable database on the Secretary of State’s website.
Step 4Purchase your notary public supplies.
Q. What Are The Costs Involved For The Education And Testing?A. The costs to become a traditional notary are:Non-Attorney: $130.00Attorney: $75.00Renewal: $45.00The costs to become a remote online notary (RON) are:Attorneys and Non-Attorneys: $250.00Renewals: $160.00 Q. What Happens If I Fail The Test?A. If you fail the test you can register, free of charge, to take the test again after a 30-day waiting period. Please note that your test must be successfully completed within 6 months of your BCI background check. Please note you may only take the exam two times before you have to register for the class again and pay an additional $130.00.
Q. May I Have A Refund For The Fees I Paid To Ohio Notary Services, LLC?A. Refunds are not permitted. The Secretary of State's website is clear on this matter. Please be certain that you register for the correct type of class (traditional notary commission vs online notary authorization.)
Q. If I Do Not Know My Notary Commission Number, How Can I Find It?A. Please visit the Secretary of State's website to search their notary database to locate your commission number.
Q. Is The Education Course Optional Or Required And What Is The Fee?A. The education course is mandatory and must be taken though an authorized testing provider. Ohio Notary Services is an authorized testing provider and offers all of the education in a convenient online notary class format. The fee for the education course is $130.00, which includes the 3-hour class with the test being administered immediately after the class. The certificate of completion will be provided immediately following the test.
Q. My Commission Has Expired; Do I Need To Retest And What Are The Requirements?A. Yes. Under the Notary Modernization Act, once your commission has expired you are treated as a new applicant and must follow the new notary application process, including the BCI background check, completing the Secretary of State New Notary Application, and taking the 3-hour education course and test. There is no grace period.
Q. My Commission Expires This Year; How Soon Can I Begin The Process To Renew My Commission?A. Under the new law, you may begin the renewal process no sooner than 90 days before your commission expiration date.