The Ohio Secretary of State and the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts provide information on how to become an Ohio Notary.

The public commission process in Ohio changed on September 20, 2019.The goal of the Notary Modernization Act is to standardize the public commission process and allow both online and electronic notarization.The existing rules had to evolve in order to achieve these goals.A new set of rules has to be followed by lawyers and non-lawyers alike.The changes will affect all first time applicants, as well as non-lawyer notaries who want to renew their existing commission.

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Cuyahoga Notary Public Commission are working together to make the new process seamless.They have formed a partnership with the bar associations of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo and Ohio State to create Ohio Notary Services, a new organization that will have a local Cleveland presence as well as a statewide reach.We will be able to handle all of your education and testing needs through this collaboration.

The only source authorized by the Ohio Secretary of State to offer education and testing under the new laws is Ohio Notary Services.

Ohio Notary Services has a website where you can find all of your questions and needs.The new process works in five steps.

Within six months of application, obtain a formal Bureau of Criminal Investigation records check.The records check can be obtained by visiting https://bit.ly/2kH0pfn.The next step is possible if the records check does not contain disqualifying offenses.

Go to www.becomeanohionotary.com.If you want to do both online and in person, you need to create an account.

Take the test if you attend the class or watch the online video.You will receive a certificate for submission to the Secretary of State once you have successfully completed both Ohio Notary Services.

Go to sos.state.oh.us/notary and create an account and submit your application.

When you receive your commission, return to www.becomeanohionotary.com to purchase your supplies.After passing the test, new notaries receive a free stamp.

The law allows for the commission to be renewed up to 90 days in advance.Visit the Secretary of State website to begin the process and then return to becomeanohionotary.com to take the required renewal class.

Fixed fees have been established for renewing or acquiring a commission.There is a fee schedule.