OH Notary - Ohio Notary Notary Journal and Fees Questions and Answers

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

$5.00

Answer

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 2

An Ohio notary travels to a local hospital to notarize a power of attorney for a patient. The notary performs one notarial act (an acknowledgment). The notary and the patient agreed beforehand to a $20 travel fee. What is the maximum total amount the notary can legally charge?

Accepted Answer

$25.00, consisting of the notarial act fee plus the agreed-upon travel fee.

Answer

Per Ohio Revised Code 147.08, a notary may charge up to $5.00 for a traditional notarial act. Additionally, a notary may charge a reasonable travel fee if the notary and the principal agree to it prior to the notarial act. Therefore, the total charge is the $5.00 maximum fee for the act plus the $20.00 agreed-upon travel fee, totaling $25.00.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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 4

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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 5

Which of the following pieces of information is an Ohio online notary public required to record in their electronic journal for every online notarization?

Accepted Answer

The full name and address of each principal.

Answer

Ohio Revised Code 147.65(B) lists the mandatory information for an electronic journal entry. This includes the printed full name and address of each principal (signer). The same statute explicitly prohibits recording a Social Security number.

General Practice Test

General Practice Test

OH Notary - Ohio Notary Notary Journal and Fees Questions and Answers