Ohio Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In Ohio, who typically determines whether an acknowledgment or a jurat is required for a document?

The document itself or the requirements of the receiving party typically specify the required act (Correct answer)
The county recorder's office mandates the act for all documents
The Ohio Secretary of State issues guidance for each document type
The notary alone determines the appropriate notarial act

Correct answer: The document itself or the requirements of the receiving party typically specify the required act

The type of notarial act is typically determined by the document's pre-printed certificate language or the requirements specified by the party requesting the notarization.

Question 2: Under Ohio law, which of the following would constitute unauthorized practice of law by a notary?

Advising a signer on which documents to sign for their real estate closing (Correct answer)
Administering an oath
Certifying a copy of a document
Taking an acknowledgment

Correct answer: Advising a signer on which documents to sign for their real estate closing

Advising signers on document selection constitutes legal advice, which is unauthorized practice of law.

Question 3: An Ohio notary is presented with a document that has no notarial certificate. What should they do?

Refuse to notarize the document
Ask the signer to write the certificate language
Sign the document without a certificate
Attach or add the appropriate notarial certificate wording (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Attach or add the appropriate notarial certificate wording

The notary should determine the type of act needed and attach the appropriate certificate wording.

Question 4: When identifying a signer using a credible witness who is NOT personally known to the notary, the notary must identify the witness through what means?

A phone call to a third party to verify the witness's identity. (Correct answer)
A sworn statement from the witness.
A passport, driver's license, or other government-issued ID card that is current or expired not more than three years.
Two forms of non-photo identification.

Correct answer: A phone call to a third party to verify the witness's identity.

Ohio Revised Code 147.50(B)(2) specifies that if the credible witness is not personally known to the notary, the notary must identify the witness using a passport, driver's license, or other government-issued nondriver identification card, which can be current or expired not more than three years.

Question 5: A credible witness may be used to identify a signer in Ohio when:

The witness is the notary's employer
Credible witnesses are never permitted
The credible witness personally knows both the signer and the notary (Correct answer)
The signer has no identification of any kind

Correct answer: The credible witness personally knows both the signer and the notary

A credible witness who knows both the signer and the notary may verify identity under oath.

Question 6: An Ohio notary is asked to notarize a blank document to be filled in later. The notary should:

Charge an extra fee for the risk
Refuse, as notarizing a blank document facilitates potential fraud (Correct answer)
Notarize it but note the blanks
Comply since the signer signed it

Correct answer: Refuse, as notarizing a blank document facilitates potential fraud

Notarizing a blank or substantially incomplete document is prohibited.

Question 7: What should a notary do if they suspect that the signer is being coerced into signing a document?

Proceed with the notarization
Refuse to notarize the document (Correct answer)
Ask the signer to sign a waiver
Call the police immediately

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document

If a notary suspects that a signer is being coerced or is under duress, they must refuse to notarize the document. A notary public has a legal and ethical obligation to ensure the signer is acting willingly and voluntarily. This refusal protects the integrity of the notarized document and prevents potential fraud or exploitation of the signer.

Question 8: In an Ohio acknowledgment, what must the signer do when appearing before the notary?

Pay the notary fee before the act is performed
Provide two forms of government-issued identification
Sign the document in the notary's immediate presence
Acknowledge that they previously signed the document freely and voluntarily (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Acknowledge that they previously signed the document freely and voluntarily

In an acknowledgment, the signer acknowledges to the notary that they signed the document of their own free will, which may have occurred prior to appearing before the notary.

Question 9: What is the maximum fee an Ohio notary may charge for performing a remote online notarial act?

$25 (Correct answer)
$5
$50
$10

Correct answer: $25

Ohio law sets the maximum fee for a remote online notarization (RON) at $25 per act, which is higher than the $5 cap for traditional in-person acts, reflecting the additional technology and platform costs involved.

Question 10: How long is an Ohio notary public's commission term under the Ohio Revised Code?

10 years
2 years
5 years (Correct answer)
4 years

Correct answer: 5 years

Under ORC Chapter 147, an Ohio notary public commission is valid for 5 years from the date it is issued by the Secretary of State.

Question 11: The notarial certificate for an acknowledgment must include which key statement?

That the signer paid the required fee
That the notary verified the document's legal validity
That the signer appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing voluntarily (Correct answer)
That the signer swore the contents are true

Correct answer: That the signer appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing voluntarily

An acknowledgment certificate states that the signer appeared and acknowledged signing of their own free will.

Question 12: Before notarizing a document, what must an Ohio notary confirm about the document itself?

That it is complete and contains no blank spaces (Correct answer)
That it has been filed with the county recorder
That it was drafted by a licensed attorney
That it carries an expiration date

Correct answer: That it is complete and contains no blank spaces

Ohio notaries must not notarize incomplete documents because blanks could be filled in fraudulently after notarization.

Question 13: According to Ohio law, which of the following is NOT a mandatory element of a notary's official seal?

The notary's commission expiration date (Correct answer)
The coat of arms of the state of Ohio
The name of the notary public
The words 'Notary Public' or 'Notarial Seal'

Correct answer: The notary's commission expiration date

Ohio Revised Code 147.04 specifies the required elements of a notary seal. It must contain the Ohio coat of arms, the words 'Notary Public' or similar, and the notary's name. While the commission expiration date must be included in the notarial certificate, it is not required to be part of the actual seal itself.

Question 14: What must an Ohio RON notary do if the audio-video connection is lost during notarization?

Stop the process and restart when connection is restored (Correct answer)
Complete the notarization based on what was verified
Have the signer email their signature
Switch to telephone to complete the act

Correct answer: Stop the process and restart when connection is restored

If the connection is lost, the notary must stop and restart when connection is restored.

Question 15: The Ohio Secretary of State may take disciplinary action, including commission revocation, against a notary for which of the following acts?

Charging less than the maximum allowed fee for a notarial act.
Notarizing a document for a resident of a different Ohio county.
Refusing to notarize a document because the signer appears to be coerced.
Failing to administer an oath or affirmation when executing a jurat. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Failing to administer an oath or affirmation when executing a jurat.

Ohio Revised Code 147.032 states that the Secretary of State may revoke a commission for acts demonstrating a lack of integrity or competence, which explicitly includes failing to administer an oath or affirmation for a jurat. Refusing to notarize under coercion is a proper action, and jurisdiction is statewide, not limited by county.

Question 16: Can an Ohio notary rely on personal knowledge to identify a signer?

Only if the signer is a family member
No, photo identification is always required
Yes, personal knowledge is an acceptable identification method (Correct answer)
Only for documents valued under $1,000

Correct answer: Yes, personal knowledge is an acceptable identification method

Personal knowledge of the signer is an acceptable alternative to documentary identification.

Question 17: When is it appropriate for a notary public in Ohio to refuse to perform a notarization?

When the notary suspects the signer is under duress (Correct answer)
When the notary is unsure of the document’s legality
When the signer has a different political belief than the notary
When the document is in a foreign language

Correct answer: When the notary suspects the signer is under duress

It is appropriate and legally required for an Ohio notary public to refuse to perform a notarization when they suspect the signer is under duress or not acting voluntarily. Ensuring the signer's free will is a fundamental principle of notarization, protecting individuals from coercion and maintaining the legal validity of the document. Other valid reasons for refusal include lack of proper identification or an incomplete document.

Question 18: What happens to notarizations performed by a notary who was not properly commissioned?

They are valid if ratified by the Secretary of State
They are void and have no legal effect (Correct answer)
They are automatically valid if the signer relied on them in good faith
They remain valid for 30 days after discovery

Correct answer: They are void and have no legal effect

Notarizations by someone without a valid commission are generally void.

Question 19: Under Ohio law, which is a valid reason for the Secretary of State to suspend a notary's commission?

The notary charged $1.50 per act
The notary moved to a different county within Ohio
The notary failed to respond to a complaint investigation (Correct answer)
The notary performed an act on a weekend

Correct answer: The notary failed to respond to a complaint investigation

Failure to respond to a complaint investigation is grounds for suspension.

Question 20: Ohio law recognizes which forms of identification for notarization?

Only documents issued by the State of Ohio
Any document with the signer's name
Driver's licenses from any U.S. state, U.S. and foreign passports, and military IDs (Correct answer)
Only driver's licenses issued by Ohio

Correct answer: Driver's licenses from any U.S. state, U.S. and foreign passports, and military IDs

Ohio accepts a wide range of current, government-issued photo IDs.

Question 21: A notary public in Ohio uses a seal embosser that creates a raised impression on a document. The impression is clear but may not photocopy well. What is the best practice for the notary to ensure the seal is legible on all copies?

Write 'Seal' next to the raised impression.
Refuse to notarize documents that will be photocopied.
Press harder with the embosser to make a deeper impression.
Use a seal impression inker or affix a second, inked seal. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use a seal impression inker or affix a second, inked seal.

Ohio law permits either an ink stamp or an embosser. However, because an embossed seal may not be photographically reproducible, it is a common and recommended practice to use a seal impression inker to darken the impression or to use an ink stamp in conjunction with the embosser to ensure legibility on copies.

Question 22: An online notary public's commission expires and they do not renew it. According to Ohio law, what must the former notary do with their electronic journal?

Transmit the journal to the Secretary of State or an approved repository. (Correct answer)
Transfer the journal to their former employer for safekeeping.
Keep the journal indefinitely in their personal possession.
Delete the journal and all associated recordings after one year.

Correct answer: Transmit the journal to the Secretary of State or an approved repository.

Ohio Revised Code 147.66(E)(1)(a) requires that upon resignation, revocation, or expiration without renewal of an online notary commission, the notary must transmit the electronic journal to the Secretary of State or a repository approved by the Secretary of State. The journal is then maintained for a period of ten years.

Question 23: Can an Ohio notary use a rubber stamp seal instead of an embossing seal?

Only for electronic documents
Yes, either rubber stamp or embossing seals are acceptable (Correct answer)
Only with prior Secretary of State approval
No, only embossing seals are permitted

Correct answer: Yes, either rubber stamp or embossing seals are acceptable

Ohio law permits either rubber stamp or embossing seals.

Question 24: Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for an individual seeking to become a commissioned Notary Public in Ohio for the first time?

Obtain a criminal records check report dated within six months of the application. (Correct answer)
Be a registered voter in the state of Ohio.
Hold a valid Ohio driver's license.
Be at least 21 years of age.

Correct answer: Obtain a criminal records check report dated within six months of the application.

According to the Ohio Secretary of State, all new notary applicants must obtain a BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) background check with a report date that is no more than six months old at the time of application.

Question 25: What additional credential must an Ohio notary obtain before performing RON?

A federal RON license
Registration as a remote online notary with the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
A real estate license
A technology certification from an approved vendor

Correct answer: Registration as a remote online notary with the Secretary of State

The notary must register specifically as a remote online notary with the Secretary of State.

Question 26: Under Ohio law, when two credible witnesses are used to identify a signer, what must those witnesses do before the notary?

Sign the notary's journal as co-signers of the document
Submit a written affidavit to the county recorder within 30 days
Take an oath or affirmation attesting that the signer is who they claim to be (Correct answer)
Provide their own government-issued ID and nothing more

Correct answer: Take an oath or affirmation attesting that the signer is who they claim to be

When credible witnesses are used to establish a signer's identity, Ohio law requires the witnesses to take an oath or affirmation before the notarial officer, swearing or affirming that the individual is personally known to them and is the person named in the document.

Question 27: What oath must an Ohio notary public take before assuming their duties?

An oath of office to faithfully discharge their duties (Correct answer)
An oath to defend the U.S. Constitution only
No oath is required in Ohio
A loyalty oath to the Governor

Correct answer: An oath of office to faithfully discharge their duties

Ohio notaries must take an oath of office pledging to faithfully discharge their duties.

Question 28: An Ohio notary's surety bond must be in the amount of:

$5,000
$15,000
$10,000 (Correct answer)
$25,000

Correct answer: $10,000

Ohio law requires notaries to maintain a $10,000 surety bond during their commission term.

Question 29: According to Ohio law, what is the maximum fee a notary public can charge for a single, traditional (in-person, paper) notarial act?

$2.00
A reasonable amount agreed to by the signer.
$10.00
$5.00 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $5.00

Ohio Revised Code 147.08(A)(1) explicitly states that a notary public is entitled to a fee of up to five dollars for any notarial act that is not an online notarization. Fees are charged per notarial act, not per signature.

Question 30: Ohio law provides that the Secretary of State may investigate a notary based on:

Only complaints from attorneys
Random selection only
Only complaints from other notaries
A written complaint from any person (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A written complaint from any person

Any person may file a written complaint with the Secretary of State.

Question 31: What technology is required for Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Ohio?

Text-based chat with identity verification
Audio-video communication technology allowing real-time interaction (Correct answer)
Telephone conference with recording
Email exchange with digital signatures

Correct answer: Audio-video communication technology allowing real-time interaction

Ohio RON requires audio-video communication enabling real-time interaction.

Ohio Notary Public Exam

The Ohio Notary Public exam tests knowledge of notarial acts, Ohio notary law, signer identification, journal requirements, and electronic notarization.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

80%

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

codes.ohio.gov — Eligibility, score validity · verified Oct 2026