Page 13 - Leisure Living Magazine: May 2021 Edition

How To Get Your Documents Notarized From A Distance
“Law You Can Use” By C. Allen Nichols, Ohio Notary Services and Executive Director, Akron Bar Association, Courtesy of the Ohio State Bar Association
Online notarization became legal in Ohio in September of 2019. The ability to manage a doc- ument online simplifies the entire process if you need a notarized signature – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any document you may need notarized can now be notarized online, with the help of a certi- fied online notary and the technology necessary to connect to them.
Background on Online Notarization
When the Notary Public Modernization Act (SB263) took effect on
Sept. 20, 2019, the pro-
cess to become a nota-
ry changed and online notarization was allowed for the first time. The notary commission appli- cation process moved from local court systems to the Ohio Secretary of State, and new, uniform testing requirements and standard fees went into effect.
Online notaries must
be commissioned as a
“traditional” Ohio Notary
Public, take two hours of
online notary education
approved by the Ohio
Secretary of State’s office
and pass with a test score of 80 or better. Non- attorneys who want to become notaries also have to submit a criminal records check during this process.
You should also know that attorneys are not automatically traditional or online notaries. They also must complete training that is approved by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, though they do not need to pass a test to be certified.
In response to the Notary Public Modernization Act, Ohio Notary Services was formed by a partnership between the Ohio State
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Bar Association and five metropolitan bar asso- ciations, including Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo. Ohio Notary Services pro- vides notary education and testing services for Ohio notaries public. Right now, using Ohio Notary Services is the only way to be certified as an online notary in Ohio. They can help you find an authorized online notary public if you email info@becomeanohionotary.com.
Continued on page 14
The process to become a notary has recently changed and online notarization is now allowed for the first time.
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