Ohio Remote Online Notary Legislation Goes Into Effect

September 26, 2019

Ohio’s remote online legislation (RON), which follows key principles of the ALTA-MBA model, went into effect Sept. 20.

Ohio adopted MISMO’s standards for RON in its administrative rules for implementing the Notary Public Modernization Act.

Currently there are 22 states that have passed remote notary laws. Out of those states, 10 have laws that are in effect and six have fully implemented their remote notarization procedures.

"Ohio is just the sixth state to allow for online notarization,” said LaRose. “That innovation, along with our additional modernizations, is another feather in Ohio’s cap as we work to make our state a great place for business to thrive so that Ohio families can prosper.”

There’s been some confusion about the notarial certificates and if they can be changed. According to the Ohio Secretary of State, acknowledgment and jurat forms described in R.C. 147.55 and 147.551 control the requirements set forth in R.C. 147.542.

The Ohio Secretary of State issued these facts:

  • Requires non-attorney applicants to file a criminal records check, complete three hours of education, and pass a test for a new notary public commission.
  • Requires non-attorney applicants to submit a criminal record check and complete a one-hour education course for a renewal of a notary public commission.
  • Requires attorneys to complete a three-hour class to receive their notary public commission. As has been the law, these commissions do not expire.
  • Permits electronic notarization in Ohio for anyone commissioned as a notary public to begin on Sept. 20. An electronic notarization is an in-person notarization of a signature on a digital document—this requires the use of an electronic signature and an electronic seal.
  • Permits online notarization in Ohio which can be performed by a resident of Ohio who is commissioned as a notary public and authorized by the Secretary of State's office to perform online authorizations. 


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].