Ohio Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following documents would NOT satisfy Ohio's satisfactory evidence of identity standard for notarization?

A current U.S. military identification card with photo and signature
An unexpired foreign passport with photo and signature
A recent utility bill showing the signer's name and home address (Correct answer)
An unexpired state-issued driver's license with photo and signature

Correct answer: A recent utility bill showing the signer's name and home address

A utility bill is not a government-issued identification document and does not contain a photograph or signature in the required form. Ohio law requires a government-issued document with both a photograph and the individual's signature; a utility bill meets none of these criteria.

Question 2: A document requires a jurat. The signer brings the document to an Ohio notary, but it has already been signed. What must the notary do to properly complete the notarial certificate?

Attach an acknowledgment certificate instead of a jurat.
Notarize the document as-is since the signature is present.
Require the signer to sign the document again in the notary's presence after administering the oath. (Correct answer)
Cross out the existing signature and have the signer initial the change.

Correct answer: Require the signer to sign the document again in the notary's presence after administering the oath.

For a jurat, Ohio law requires that the signer signs the document in the presence of the notary after an oath or affirmation is administered. If the document is already signed, the signer must sign it again in the notary's presence to fulfill the requirements of the jurat.

Question 3: Ohio Revised Code provides that a notary may be held liable on their bond for:

Economic losses unrelated to notarial acts
Misconduct or negligence in performing notarial duties (Correct answer)
Any document they notarize that later proves incorrect
Documents notarized by other notaries in the same office

Correct answer: Misconduct or negligence in performing notarial duties

The bond covers damages caused by the notary's misconduct or negligence.

Question 4: When using a single credible witness to identify a signer in Ohio, which requirement distinguishes this approach from using two credible witnesses?

The single credible witness must be personally known to the notarial officer (Correct answer)
The single credible witness must be a licensed Ohio notary
The single credible witness must present three forms of government-issued ID
The single credible witness must have known the signer for at least five years

Correct answer: The single credible witness must be personally known to the notarial officer

Ohio law permits one credible witness to identify a signer, but only when that witness is personally known to the notarial officer. If the notary does not personally know the witness, two credible witnesses are required instead — each of whom must present their own satisfactory evidence of identity.

Question 5: Can an Ohio notary use a rubber stamp seal instead of an embossing seal?

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

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

Ohio law permits either rubber stamp or embossing seals.

Question 6: Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of a notary journal in Ohio?

A journal is only required for notarizations involving real estate transactions.
An electronic journal is mandatory for online notarizations, but a physical journal is not required for traditional notarizations. (Correct answer)
A journal is not required for any type of notarial act, but is recommended.
A journal is required for all notarial acts, both traditional and online.

Correct answer: An electronic journal is mandatory for online notarizations, but a physical journal is not required for traditional notarizations.

Ohio Revised Code 147.65 mandates that an online notary public must maintain an electronic journal for all online notarizations. However, Ohio law does not require notaries to keep a journal for traditional (in-person, paper) notarizations, although it is strongly recommended as a best practice by the Secretary of State.

Question 7: How long must an Ohio notary retain their journal after the date of the last notarial act recorded in it?

5 years (Correct answer)
10 years
1 year
3 years

Correct answer: 5 years

Ohio law requires a notary to retain their journal for 5 years after the date of the last entry. This ensures records are available if disputes or legal questions arise about past notarizations.

Question 8: Under Ohio law, may a notary add a notarial certificate to a document after the fact if the signer is not present?

No, the signer must be present when the certificate is completed (Correct answer)
Only for electronic documents
Yes, as long as the certificate is dated correctly
Yes, if the signer signs a separate authorization

Correct answer: No, the signer must be present when the certificate is completed

The signer must personally appear before the notary when the notarial act is performed and the certificate completed.

Question 9: Under Ohio law, a notary who knowingly notarizes a forged signature may face:

Criminal charges, commission revocation, and civil liability (Correct answer)
A 30-day suspension
Mandatory retraining only
Only a written reprimand

Correct answer: Criminal charges, commission revocation, and civil liability

Knowingly notarizing a forged signature can result in criminal prosecution, revocation, and civil liability.

Question 10: Regarding record-keeping, which statement is true for Ohio notaries public?

A journal is strongly recommended for traditional notarizations but is legally required for all remote online notarizations.
Journals are considered personal records and are not required to be surrendered upon commission expiration. (Correct answer)
All notaries are required to maintain a detailed journal for every notarial act performed.
Only notaries who perform real estate transactions must keep a journal.

Correct answer: Journals are considered personal records and are not required to be surrendered upon commission expiration.

While Ohio law does not mandate a journal for traditional, in-person notarizations, the Secretary of State strongly recommends it. However, Ohio Revised Code 147.65 makes it a legal requirement for online notaries to maintain a secure, electronic journal for all remote online notarizations.

Question 11: According to Ohio law, which of the following is NOT a mandatory element of a notary's official seal?

The coat of arms of the state of Ohio
The notary's commission expiration date (Correct answer)
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 12: 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?

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

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 13: Which element is NOT required to appear in an Ohio notarial certificate for an acknowledgment?

The notary's commission expiration date
The date the notarial act was performed
The purchase price of any property described in the document (Correct answer)
The county and state where the notarization took place

Correct answer: The purchase price of any property described in the document

An Ohio acknowledgment certificate must include the venue (county and state), the date, the name of the signer, the notary's signature and seal, and the commission expiration date — but financial details of the underlying transaction are not part of the certificate.

Question 14: An Ohio notary commission is granted by which official?

The Governor of Ohio (Correct answer)
The Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
The county sheriff
The local probate judge

Correct answer: The Governor of Ohio

Ohio notary commissions are granted by the Governor, though the Secretary of State manages administration.

Question 15: What is the standard term of a notary commission for a non-attorney in the state of Ohio?

Ten years
For life, unless revoked
Five years (Correct answer)
Three years

Correct answer: Five years

Under the Ohio Revised Code, a notary public commission for an individual who is not an attorney is valid for a term of five years, unless the commission is revoked.

Question 16: 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.

Question 17: An Ohio online notary's employment with a law firm ends. The notary performed numerous RONs for the firm's clients, and all electronic journals and recordings were stored on the firm's servers. What is the notary's legal obligation regarding these notarial records?

The notary and employer can agree to delete the records after the notary's departure to protect client privacy.
The notary must leave the records with the employer, as they are property of the firm.
The notary must ensure the records are transmitted to the Secretary of State or an approved repository, as the notary retains control and responsibility. (Correct answer)
The employer is required by law to retain the records for the mandated 10-year period.

Correct answer: The notary must ensure the records are transmitted to the Secretary of State or an approved repository, as the notary retains control and responsibility.

According to Ohio Revised Code 147.65(E)(1), an employer shall not retain the electronic journal of an employee who is an online notary public when the notary's employment ceases. The responsibility for the journal remains with the notary, who must ensure it is properly maintained or transmitted to the Secretary of State or an approved repository upon commission expiration or resignation.

Question 18: It is a prohibited act in Ohio for a notary to:

Certify or authenticate their own notarial act (Correct answer)
Refuse a notarization when they suspect fraud
Notarize documents on holidays
Maintain a journal in electronic format

Correct answer: Certify or authenticate their own notarial act

A notary cannot certify their own notarial act.

Question 19: Under Ohio law, a notary public must report which of the following to the Secretary of State?

The total number of documents notarized each month
Every notarial act performed
The names of all signers they served
Any change in the notary's name or address (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Any change in the notary's name or address

Ohio notaries must report changes in their name or address to the Secretary of State.

Question 20: Which of the following acts is an Ohio Notary Public authorized to perform throughout the state?

Providing legal advice on the document being signed.
Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
Administering oaths and affirmations. (Correct answer)
Drafting a power of attorney document for a client.

Correct answer: Administering oaths and affirmations.

Ohio law explicitly authorizes Notaries Public to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, and certify depositions throughout the state. Notaries are expressly prohibited from practicing law, which includes drafting legal documents or providing legal advice, and they cannot certify copies of vital records.

Question 21: If a notary cannot determine whether identification is authentic, they should:

Accept it and hope for the best
Refuse the notarization until satisfactory identification is provided (Correct answer)
Accept it but note concerns in the journal
Ask the signer to verify it with their bank

Correct answer: Refuse the notarization until satisfactory identification is provided

If the notary doubts authenticity, they must refuse.

Question 22: Should an Ohio notary's journal be a bound book or can loose-leaf pages be used?

Either format is acceptable without preference
Only electronic journals are permitted
A bound book is recommended to prevent page removal or insertion (Correct answer)
Loose-leaf pages are preferred for flexibility

Correct answer: A bound book is recommended to prevent page removal or insertion

A bound book is recommended because it prevents unauthorized page removal or insertion.

Question 23: What is the purpose of the notarial certificate attached to a notarized document?

To certify that the notary performed the notarial act according to law (Correct answer)
To guarantee the legality of the document's contents
To serve as a receipt for the notary fee
To verify the accuracy of the information in the document

Correct answer: To certify that the notary performed the notarial act according to law

The certificate certifies that the notary performed the required act and identifies the type of act.

Question 24: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary in Ohio?

16
25
18 (Correct answer)
21

Correct answer: 18

To become a notary public in Ohio, an applicant must meet several eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years of age. This minimum age ensures that notaries are adults capable of understanding and fulfilling the legal responsibilities associated with their commission. It aligns with general legal standards for holding positions of public trust.

Question 25: An Ohio notary discovers after the fact that they notarized a document for a family member. What should they do?

Notify the parties involved and suggest re-notarization by a disinterested notary (Correct answer)
Destroy their journal entry for that transaction
Nothing, since the act is already completed
File a complaint against themselves

Correct answer: Notify the parties involved and suggest re-notarization by a disinterested notary

The best practice is to notify affected parties and recommend re-notarization by an impartial notary.

Question 26: What authority does an Ohio notary public have regarding legal advice?

They may advise on contract terms for a fee
They may explain the contents of documents they notarize
They have no authority to provide legal advice (Correct answer)
They may provide basic legal guidance to signers

Correct answer: They have no authority to provide legal advice

Ohio notaries are strictly prohibited from providing legal advice unless they are also licensed attorneys.

Question 27: How many times may an Ohio notary public renew their commission?

Twice
There is no limit on renewals (Correct answer)
Three times
Once

Correct answer: There is no limit on renewals

There is no statutory limit on the number of times an Ohio notary may renew their commission.

Question 28: What should a notary do when the name on the signer's ID does not exactly match the document name?

Change the name on the document to match the ID
Refuse the notarization entirely
Proceed if the discrepancy can be reasonably explained and identity is not in question (Correct answer)
Require the signer to legally change their name

Correct answer: Proceed if the discrepancy can be reasonably explained and identity is not in question

Minor, explainable discrepancies do not necessarily require refusal.

Question 29: 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 30: Under Ohio law, a notary public may charge a maximum fee of how much per notarial act?

$2.00 (Correct answer)
$10.00
$1.50
$5.00

Correct answer: $2.00

Ohio Revised Code sets the maximum notary fee at $2.00 per act.

Question 31: An Ohio electronic notary's digital certificate must be obtained from:

Any online certificate authority
The county recorder's office
The Ohio Department of Technology
A vendor meeting Secretary of State standards (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A vendor meeting Secretary of State standards

The digital certificate must come from a vendor that meets the standards established by the Ohio Secretary of State.

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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