Notary Public in Ohio
Browse 227 cities in Ohio to find a notary public near you.
Ohio notaries are appointed by the Secretary of State and serve a 5-year commission. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are major markets with high demand for notary services, including loan signings, legal affidavits, estate documents, and corporate filings — with mobile notaries serving a wide geographic area between them. The fee cap is $5 per signature. Remote online notarization is legal in Ohio, one of the more established RON markets in the Midwest. Ohio requires both training and a state exam to become a notary, but no surety bond.
Is this notary really commissioned?
Anyone can claim to be a notary. Before you rely on one for an important document, it costs nothing to check that their commission is real, active, and hasn't expired.
Ohio notaries are commissioned by the Ohio Secretary of State, which provides a free public commission lookup.
Verify a Ohionotary's commission →What you can legally be charged
As of July 2026, Ohio law caps the fee a notary can charge for a standard notarial act at $5 per notarial act ($30 for an online/remote notarization, plus up to a $10 technology fee). A notary who charges more than the legal maximum for a standard act is breaking the law — you're entitled to ask what they charge before they begin.
What to expect
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID — the notary can't proceed without one.
- Your notary is required to record the transaction in a journal — expect to sign it and provide some basic details.
- Every document is marked with the notary's official stamp or seal, confirming the notarization is complete.
Remote Online Notarization
Ohio has adopted RON — documents can be notarized over a live video call.
Full RON details →For aspiring notaries
Becoming a notary in Ohio
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Training course | Required |
| State exam | Required |
Total cost to become a notary in Ohio typically runs $202, covering the application, training, and supplies.
Full guide to becoming a notary →Sourced from the National Notary Association, verified July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the Ohio Secretary of State.