Ohio notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in Ohio.

1. What is the minimum age for an Ohio notary commission?

   1. 18
   2. 19
   3. 21
   4. 16
   Show the answer

   A. 18

   R.C. 147.01.

   Source: R.C. 147.01 (codes.ohio.gov)

2. Which residence requirement applies to a non-attorney applicant?

   1. Two years in the county
   2. Any U.S. resident
   3. Ohio property owner
   4. Legal resident of Ohio
   Show the answer

   D. Legal resident of Ohio

   R.C. 147.01; an out-of-state attorney admitted in Ohio may qualify if their principal place of business or practice is in Ohio.

   Source: R.C. 147.01 (codes.ohio.gov)

3. How recent must the applicant's criminal records check report be?

   1. Any age, if it is clean
   2. From the preceding six months
   3. From the preceding 30 days
   4. From the preceding calendar year
   Show the answer

   B. From the preceding six months

   R.C. 147.01 and 147.022.

   Source: R.C. 147.022 (codes.ohio.gov)

4. How long is an Ohio non-attorney notary commission?

   1. 10 years
   2. 8 years
   3. 5 years
   4. 4 years
   Show the answer

   C. 5 years

   R.C. 147.03.

   Source: R.C. 147.03 (codes.ohio.gov)

5. How long does an attorney's Ohio notary commission last?

   1. 5 years, after which the attorney renews like any other notary in the state of Ohio
   2. For life, regardless of the attorney's standing or residence afterward
   3. 10 years, renewable once with proof of continuing legal education credits filed with the court
   4. While the attorney meets the residence or practice rules, stays in good standing, and is not revoked
   Show the answer

   D. While the attorney meets the residence or practice rules, stays in good standing, and is not revoked

   R.C. 147.03.

   Source: R.C. 147.03 (codes.ohio.gov)

6. Where may an Ohio notary act?

   1. Only in adjoining counties
   2. Anywhere in Ohio
   3. Anywhere in the U.S.
   4. Only in the county of residence
   Show the answer

   B. Anywhere in Ohio

   R.C. 147.01 and 147.07.

   Source: R.C. 147.07 (codes.ohio.gov)

7. On what basis may the Secretary of State investigate a notary?

   1. Its own belief or a signed complaint
   2. Only an anonymous telephone call or email
   3. Only a court order from a judge
   4. Only a filed police report
   Show the answer

   A. Its own belief or a signed complaint

   R.C. 147.032.

   Source: R.C. 147.032 (codes.ohio.gov)

8. Which action may the Secretary take against a notary?

   1. Only a fine of up to $50 per violation
   2. Jail time of up to 30 days
   3. Only a warning, never suspension or revocation of any kind
   4. Revocation, suspension, or a letter of admonition
   Show the answer

   D. Revocation, suspension, or a letter of admonition

   R.C. 147.032.

   Source: R.C. 147.032 (codes.ohio.gov)

9. A notary refuses to cooperate with the Secretary's investigation. The result is:

   1. A $50 fine only
   2. Nothing, if no harm
   3. A written warning
   4. Revocation is required
   Show the answer

   D. Revocation is required

   R.C. 147.032.

   Source: R.C. 147.032 (codes.ohio.gov)

10. What shape and size is the Ohio notary seal?

    1. A rectangle 1 inch by 2.5 inches, with a border
    2. A circle three-quarters of an inch to one inch in diameter
    3. A circle two inches across, with a serrated edge
    4. Any shape, as long as the impression is legible and photocopies well
    Show the answer

    B. A circle three-quarters of an inch to one inch in diameter

    R.C. 147.04.

    Source: R.C. 147.04 (codes.ohio.gov)

11. Which image must be inside the Ohio seal?

    1. The coat of arms of the state
    2. A photograph of the notary
    3. The state flag of Ohio
    4. A map of the notary's home county
    Show the answer

    A. The coat of arms of the state

    R.C. 147.04.

    Source: R.C. 147.04 (codes.ohio.gov)

12. Which words must the Ohio seal include?

    1. The county name, the commission number and the notary's initials
    2. Only the commission number and the commission expiration date
    3. "Notary public" (or equivalent), the notary's name, and "State of Ohio"
    4. "Official seal" and the name of the notary's county of residence in Ohio
    Show the answer

    C. "Notary public" (or equivalent), the notary's name, and "State of Ohio"

    R.C. 147.04.

    Source: R.C. 147.04 (codes.ohio.gov)

13. What is the most an Ohio notary may charge for a notarial act that is not an online notarization?

    1. $25
    2. $5
    3. $10
    4. $2
    Show the answer

    B. $5

    R.C. 147.08.

    Source: R.C. 147.08 (codes.ohio.gov)

14. What is the most an Ohio notary may charge for an online notarization?

    1. $10
    2. $30
    3. $25
    4. $5
    Show the answer

    B. $30

    R.C. 147.08.

    Source: R.C. 147.08 (codes.ohio.gov)

15. May an Ohio notary notarize the notary's own signature?

    1. Yes, for personal documents
    2. Only on jurats
    3. No, that is not allowed
    4. Only with a witness
    Show the answer

    C. No, that is not allowed

    R.C. 147.141.

    Source: R.C. 147.141 (codes.ohio.gov)

16. May an Ohio notary certify a document as an original or a true copy?

    1. No, that is not allowed
    2. Only vital records
    3. Only with two witnesses
    4. Yes
    Show the answer

    A. No, that is not allowed

    R.C. 147.141.

    Source: R.C. 147.141 (codes.ohio.gov)

17. For an acknowledgment or jurat, the notary must confirm:

    1. That the signer read every page
    2. That the signer is the person claimed and the signature is theirs
    3. That the document is legally valid and enforceable in Ohio
    4. That the signer is an Ohio resident with an Ohio ID
    Show the answer

    B. That the signer is the person claimed and the signature is theirs

    R.C. 147.49.

    Source: R.C. 147.49 (codes.ohio.gov)

18. How recently may an ID have expired and still be satisfactory evidence in Ohio?

    1. No more than three years
    2. No more than five years
    3. No more than one year
    4. It must be current
    Show the answer

    A. No more than three years

    R.C. 147.50.

    Source: R.C. 147.50 (codes.ohio.gov)

19. Who may apply for Ohio online notarization authorization?

    1. Anyone with a computer and webcam
    2. Only attorneys licensed in Ohio
    3. Any notary commissioned in any U.S. state
    4. Ohio-resident commissioned notaries
    Show the answer

    D. Ohio-resident commissioned notaries

    R.C. 147.63; Ohio Adm. Code 111:6-1-03.

    Source: R.C. 147.63 (codes.ohio.gov)

20. How long is the online authorization education program?

    1. 3 hours
    2. 1 hour
    3. 6 hours
    4. 2 hours
    Show the answer

    D. 2 hours

    Ohio Adm. Code 111:6-1-03: with a test; $250 to the provider and $20 to the Secretary of State.

    Source: Ohio Adm. Code 111:6-1-03 (codes.ohio.gov)

Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of Ohio, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.