How to become a remote online notary public in Ohio (2023)

As of September 22, 2019, notaries in Ohio can register to perform Remote Online Notaries (RONs). If you want to become an OH remote notary follow the steps below.

1. Maintain an existing commission like a traditional notary.
2. Take a two-hour course and pass a test in one of theState-approved training and exam providers.
3. Contract with a RON technology provider.
4. Complete your certification application onlineentering your accounton the OH Secretary of State website.
5. Upload PDFs of your course and exam completion certificates.
6. Pay the $20 application fee online.

In this guide: Ohio RON Requirements|About RON in Ohio|frequently asked questions

Requirements to Be a Remote Notary Public in Ohio

Before applying to be an online notary public in Ohio, you must firsthas an existing appointment as a traditional notary in the Buckeye State. Traditional notaries must be at least 18 years of age and lawfully reside in Ohio or an attorney licensed to practice law in Ohio and practice primarily in that state. Public notaries in the state must never have been convicted of a disqualifying crime or plead guilty or have not contested.

If you meet these requirements, you can proceed with the restthe state approval process.

Does Ohio require any special training to work as an online notary public?

Yes, you must complete a two-hour training course at one of thestate-approved educational institutionsand receive a certificate of completion. You must attach this certificate to your online application.

Is an exam required to become a remote notary?

Yes, you must take and pass an exam. Ostate-approved educational institutionYou choose whether to offer the exam and issue a certificate upon approval. You upload a PDF of the certificate when completing your online application.

What tools and technologies do I need to perform online notarizations in Ohio?

To perform remote authentication, you need a computer with access to electronic documents, a webcam, a microphone, and a secure Internet connection. Your computer must support two-way streaming of live audio and video. You must select a RON technology provider that meets the requirementsRequirements of Ohio. While the Secretary of State does not provide a list of approved providers, BlueNotary, DocuSign, DocVerify, Notarize, NotaryCam, Pavaso, Safedocs, and SIGNiX are all end-to-end remote authentication platforms.

You will also need an electronic seal, an electronic journal and a digital certificate containing your electronic signature. Make sure they are compatible with your chosen RON provider.

Do I need a guarantee?

No, bail is not required in Ohio.

Is E&O insurance mandatory in Ohio?

E&O insurance is not mandatory but is highly recommended. E&O policies can protect you if a signatory files a claim against you for financial damages due to an error in an authenticated document.

Via Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Ohio

Remote Online Sign-ins transform traditional sign-ins into a fully digital experience. Keep reading to learn more about RONs.

Does Ohio allow remote notarization?

Yes, Ohio allows remote authenticationab 22.09.2019. It was the tenth state to allow online notarization.

How Do Remote Online Authentications Work in Ohio?

For remote authentications, the signer and the notary use a specific RON technology provider to meet face to face via webcam. The notary confirms the identity of the signatory through personal knowledge or satisfactory proof. Ohio defines satisfactory evidence as 1) remote presentation of a government-issued ID containing the signer's signature and photo, a review of the IDs and proof of the signer's identity, or 2) verification by one or more credible witnesses appearing in person before the notary. When a credible witness is used, their identity must be verified either through personal knowledge or through: presenting a government-issued ID, reviewing the document's legitimacy, and proving the witness's identity.

The notary asks the signer to confirm that he has understood the document and is ready to sign it. The signatory then signs the document with an electronic signature and the notary proceeds with the rest of the notarization. The notary checks the document for gaps, fills in the public deed block, affixes an electronic seal and attaches a digital certificate with its electronic signature.

When authentication is complete, the notary creates a journal entry and saves an audio and video recording of the session.

OH remote notaries must be located in the state of Ohio to perform signature acknowledgements anywhere.

Note: If at any time the notary or signatory exits the session, the audio-video communication link is interrupted, or the resolution or quality of the transmission is compromised and cannot be completed, the notary must restart the identity authentication process since the beginning.

What notarial acts can be performed virtually in Ohio?

Ohio allows the following notarial acts to be performed remotely:

• Take oaths and affirmations
• document certification
• execute jury
• receive recognitions

How long does remote authentication take compared to traditional authentication?

Remote certifications take much less time than traditional certifications because travel is no longer required. By using a RON platform, you can connect with a signer and complete your notarization application in minutes, without leaving your home.

What is the difference between electronic certification and online certification?

In the case of electronic certification, the notary performs the certification with its electronic seal and electronic signature in a digital document. The signatory appears in person before the notary and the notarization is done electronically. Ohio notaries with an active commission can perform electronic signatures without additional authorization from the Secretary of State.

For online authentications, the signatory appears in person before the notary using audiovisual technology. The notary must use an online notarization system to carry out the act. Notaries must obtain approval from the Secretary of State to perform online authentications.

Additional FAQs about RON

Have more questions about RONs in Ohio? Read below for their answers.

How much does it cost to register as a remote notary public in OH?

The cost to become an online notary public in Ohio ranges from $270 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the companies you work with and other factors. You must pay a minimum of $20 for the application fee and $250 for state-mandated training. You will also need to pay all registration fees to hire your preferred RON technology provider, as well as the cost of your digital consumables such as your electronic seal and digital certificate.

In addition, you should consider the cost of maintaining your optional but recommended E&O insurance. Additional costs may include a computer, webcam, microphone, and secure Internet access if you don't already have these items.

How much can OH notaries charge for their services?

Notary publics in Ohio can charge up to $25 for online notarization. This fee is per share and not per subscription.

How long does it take to become a virtual notary in Ohio?

It can take 4-6 weeks to be approved as a remote online notary in Ohio. The first 4 weeks will be spent getting your traditional notary fee. The rest of the process can be done relatively quickly, depending on availability.

Once commissioned, you must spend 1 day completing state-required training and passing the exam, 1 day selecting a RON provider and providing your notary supplies remotely, and 1 day filling out the Online Notary Authorization Form and submitting evidence of completion of the study and exam.

How long will my remote notary power of attorney be valid?

Your online notarial power of attorney expires the same day as your traditional power of attorney. You can renew your authorization by completing a $160-hour program led by aauthorized education providerand payment of a $20 renewal fee to the Secretary of State.

Ohio Attorney Notary Fees Do Not Expireas long as the lawyer remains in good standingon the Supreme Court and continues to reside or have its headquarters in Ohio. However, lawyer notaries who wish to carry out certifications onlinemust renew their remote authorization every five years.

Will RON services increase my OH notarial business?

Becoming a remote online notary and joining a RON platform can help your business grow. Your customer base is no longer limited to personal authentications when you are an online notary. You can even accept orders from out-of-state people as long as you're in Ohio.

You might also consider becoming a certified Notary Signing Agent (NSA). Earning your NSA certification can qualify you to receive further RON allocations and assure RON service providers that you have passed a recent background check.

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Last updated: August 26, 2022