Ohio Secretary of State — Notary Commission System handles the verified commission route. The captured fee basis is $15 Secretary of State application fee; education, testing, background-check, and provider charges are separate, the term is 5 years for nonattorneys; qualifying Ohio attorneys remain commissioned while in good standing, and the bond rule is No surety bond required.
Ohio notary fee, term, bond, and authority
- Responsible authority
- Ohio Secretary of State — Notary Commission System
- Application fee
- $15 Secretary of State application fee; education, testing, background-check, and provider charges are separate
- Commission term
- 5 years for nonattorneys; qualifying Ohio attorneys remain commissioned while in good standing
- Bond requirement
- No surety bond required
- Training or exam
- Complete approved education; new nonattorney applicants must pass the examination
- Official source
- https://notary.ohiosos.gov/ ↗
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio (OH)
Who can apply for a Ohio notary commission
Be at least 18, be an Ohio resident or qualifying nonresident attorney, and meet criminal-record standards.
How to apply
Review the current official requirements
Open the verified public source and confirm the correct commission category, application window, fee, and supporting documents.
Complete required education, exam, or background steps
Complete approved education; new nonattorney applicants must pass the examination.
Prepare the bond and application package
No surety bond required. Obtain any required seal, oath, identification, endorsements, or county paperwork only after confirming the official instructions.
Submit through the correct authority
Complete required education, test, and background check through authorized providers, then apply online.
Important conditions and exceptions
Bond premiums, education, examination, fingerprinting, background checks, county recording, seals, journals, technology providers, and shipping can be separate. The official authority—not this website—determines eligibility and whether an application is complete.
Traditional, electronic, and remote notarization are not always the same commission
This page maps the standard public commission route. Electronic or remote online notarization may require a current traditional commission, separate registration or endorsement, approved technology, identity proofing, recording retention, and additional fees. Use the official source before offering remote services.
Source verification
Authority, fee, term, bond, training, and exception claims are mapped to the identified public source.
- Ohio Secretary of State — Notary Commission SystemOfficial application, commission, or handbook sourceOpen official source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateNationwide notary authority directorynass.org ↗
Ohio notary commission answers
Who commissions notaries in Ohio?
Ohio Secretary of State — Notary Commission System.
How much is the Ohio notary application?
$15 Secretary of State application fee; education, testing, background-check, and provider charges are separate.
How long does a Ohio notary commission last?
5 years for nonattorneys; qualifying Ohio attorneys remain commissioned while in good standing.
Does Ohio require a notary bond?
No surety bond required.
Is training or an exam required in Ohio?
Complete approved education; new nonattorney applicants must pass the examination.
Can SecretaryOfStateUSA.com issue a Ohio notary commission?
No. This private directory does not accept applications, issue commissions, sell bonds, or provide legal advice.