Notary Fees
Ohio caps notarial fees by statute; the cap for a traditional act is low, while online notarization has its own higher maximum.
Traditional-act fee cap
Ohio law caps the fee for a traditional (in-person) notarial act at $5 per act. A notary may charge less or nothing but not more than the statutory maximum. Fees charged should be recorded, and a notary who advertises should be transparent about charges.
Online notarization fee
Ohio permits a higher maximum fee for an online notarization (set by statute/rule, e.g., up to $25 per online act) to reflect the added technology and identity-verification steps. Confirm the current online-act fee cap in the Secretary of State rules before charging.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Ohio Secretary of State (Notary Commissions)
- Prelicensing education
- 3 hours (initial education; required of non-attorneys and attorneys)
- Passing score
- 80%
Does Ohio require a notary exam?
Yes for non-attorneys. Under the 2019 Notary Public Modernization Act, non-attorney applicants must complete a 3-hour education course and pass a proctored exam through a Secretary-of-State-authorized provider. Attorneys are exempt from the exam but must still take the education.
What score do I need to pass the Ohio notary exam?
The authorized testing providers require a score of at least 80% to pass the Ohio notary exam.
How long is an Ohio notary commission?
A non-attorney Ohio notary commission runs for 5 years.
Sources: https://www.ohiosos.gov/notary/, https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-111:6-1-03