Necessary Supplies for an Official Ohio State Notary Public
Some states require their notaries to go through training and take an exam before they can obtain a commission. They may even require a re-examination each time the notary wants to renew the commission. Of course, some states have no such formalities in place and ask only that their notaries meet a specific list of criteria, file a formal application (which usually means swearing an oath), and use specific items when doing their work. Ohio is one such state, and though it has a very straightforward set of requirements, there are specific Ohio notary supplies that must be in use.
You will begin to amass the appropriate Ohio notary supplies when you head to the secretary of state's website to obtain the official application. You will have to file this with the necessary fees, but the use of a surety bond is not required. In some states, evidence of this coverage must exist prior to a commission, but in Ohio, it is not necessary. Once the application and fees are paid, you can then obtain your commission and formal Notary Certificate that allows you to obtain a seal. And it is the seal that is key among all of your Ohio notary supplies. The state has a long list of specifications that the seal must meet, and they are:
- It must feature the state's official coat of arms in 1-3/4" diameter, and it is to be surrounded by the phrase "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO"
- Adjacent to this will be a block of text that includes the name of the notary as commissioned, the name of the state written out as "State of Ohio", the title expressed as "Notary Public" and the date when the current commission expires
- A seal may be an embosser or a rubber stamp, but it must be photographically reproducible
And is that the only Ohio notary supplies you will require? Apart from your application and commission, as well as the official and properly designed seal, the only other required Ohio notary supplies are the journals you must use.
State law says that your Ohio notary supplies must include a notary record book or journal. However, you are not obliged to document every transaction. Instead it is only the execution of protests that you are obliged to document.
However, as you are keeping a journal among your Ohio notary supplies, it may be a good idea to get into the habit of using it for all transactions. When you no longer work as a notary or you allow your commission to expire permanently, the journal has to be submitted to the county clerk in the county in which you reside. So, the journal is a must among your Ohio notary supplies.
The Duties of an Ohio Notary
Naturally, it will show that you did more than just execute protests. It will also be able to track such duties as:
- Taking acknowledgements
- Taking affidavits
- Taking depositions
- Administering oaths
- Administering affirmations
- Executing protests (these MUST appear in the journal)
Obviously, these are all very different actions, and so it is useful to keep the journals among your Ohio notary supplies.
Because your commission is going to last for five years before you must renew it, and obtain a new seal with the updated expiration date, it is fairly obvious that you should only obtain Ohio notary supplies from the most trusted and high-quality vendors. The stamp is going to see a lot of wear and tear, and it has to print clearly to be authentic and official. Thus, working only with the best Ohio notary supplies is a wise and professional decision.
Keep in mind that your Ohio notary supplies must also include the journal for the execution of protests, as well as other transactions if you choose to document them. The top vendors of supplies for notaries often make a diverse range of journals available, along with properly formatted and designed seals. Becoming a notary is not complicated, but doing the work properly requires attention and the right supplies from a quality vendor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ohio notary supplies are required to become a Notary Public in Ohio?
To serve as an Ohio Notary Public, you need the official commission, a compliant Ohio notary seal or stamp, and a notary record book or journal. While a surety bond is not required in Ohio, your seal and journal are essential for performing notarizations properly and keeping records when needed.
What information must appear on an Ohio notary stamp or seal?
An Ohio notary stamp or seal must include the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, the notary’s commissioned name, the words “State of Ohio,” the title “Notary Public,” and the commission expiration date. It must also be photographically reproducible and can be either an embosser or a rubber stamp.
Is a notary journal required in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio requires notaries to have a journal or notary record book among their supplies. You are specifically required to record protests in the journal, and many notaries choose to record all notarizations for better recordkeeping and protection.
Do Ohio notaries need a surety bond to get commissioned?
No, a surety bond is not required for an Ohio Notary Public commission. You will need to complete the application and pay the required fees, but bonding is not part of the state’s notary supply requirements.
How often does an Ohio notary commission need to be renewed?
An Ohio notary commission lasts for five years. When you renew, you’ll need to update your seal or stamp so it reflects the new commission expiration date.
What should I look for when buying Ohio notary supplies?
Choose trusted vendors that offer compliant, high-quality Ohio notary supplies. Your seal should meet all state formatting rules and print clearly, and your journal should be durable enough for long-term recordkeeping. Buying quality supplies helps prevent errors and keeps your notarizations professional and legally binding.
