Ohio Notary Public Exam — All Questions

How does an Ohio notary establish satisfactory evidence of identity?

• a.By the signer's statement alone
• b.By a current government photo ID or a credible witness✓
• c.By a library card
• d.By a mailed photocopy of ID

Identity is established by personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence—usually a current government-issued photo ID, or the oath of a credible witness who knows the signer and is known to or identified to the notary. The signer must personally appear.

An Ohio signer cannot explain a document and seems pressured by a companion. The notary should:

• a.Refuse, because willingness and awareness are in doubt✓
• b.Proceed because ID is valid
• c.Proceed and note the pressure
• d.Charge a higher fee

The notary must be satisfied the signer appears willing and aware. If the signing seems coerced or the signer cannot understand the document, the Ohio notary must refuse. Valid identification does not cure doubts about voluntariness.

Personal appearance before an Ohio notary is required:

• a.Only for jurats
• b.Only for real-property documents
• c.At the time of the notarial act (in person or, for online acts, by live audio-video)✓
• d.Never, if ID is provided

The signer must personally appear at the time of the act—physically for traditional acts, or by real-time audio-video for authorized online notarizations. A notary cannot notarize for someone who did not appear.