How much does it cost to become a notary in Ohio?

The provider education-and-testing fee is about $130 for non-attorneys (around $75 for attorneys), and the state application fee is $15. Add your BCI background check and a stamp, and the total generally runs $170 to $220.

Is the Ohio notary exam open book?

No. The exam is closed book and proctored through an authorized provider, with about 20 to 30 questions and an 80% passing score. Results are usually immediate.

Does Ohio require a notary bond?

No, not for a standard commission. A $25,000 bond applies only to notaries who notarize electronic estate-planning documents.

What happens if I fail the Ohio exam?

You generally must wait 30 days to retake it, and a second failure means restarting the application process. The education-and-testing fee is non-refundable.

Ohio Notary Exam: Free Practice Test & 2026 Study Guide

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The practice questions are based on current Ohio notary law (the Notary Public Modernization Act and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147), but the law can change. Always study with your authorized provider's course before the real exam.

Quick answer: Ohio requires every notary applicant, new or renewing, to complete a 3-hour education course and pass a closed-book exam with at least 80%, both through a Secretary of State–authorized provider. The provider's education-and-testing fee is about $130 for non-attorneys, the state application fee is $15, and Ohio requires no surety bond for a standard commission. The commission lasts five years, and the test below prepares you with questions based on real Ohio law.

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Ohio notary practice test (free)

Answer the questions below, then choose Practice mode for instant explanations or Timed practice to work against the clock. Every answer shows the rule behind it and the official source. Ohio's exam is closed book, so practice until you can answer from memory — aim for 90%.

How does the Ohio notary exam work?

Ohio requires a 3-hour education course followed by a closed-book exam, and you pass with a score of at least 80%. Both the course and the exam run through Secretary of State–authorized providers rather than the state directly, so you register, pay, and test with a provider from the official list. Because Ohio Revised Code 147.021 lets each authorized administrator build its own questions, the exam typically runs about 20 to 30 multiple-choice items and no two provider tests are identical. Licensed Ohio attorneys are exempt from the exam but must still complete the education course, and education must be finished within 12 months before you apply.

What makes Ohio different from other states?

Ohio's process runs through private authorized providers, which is why the education-and-testing fee — about $130 for non-attorneys — is the largest single cost, while the state's own application fee is only $15. Ohio modernized its notary law in 2019 with the Notary Public Modernization Act, which added the education and exam requirements. A standard commission needs no surety bond, and it lasts five years, one of the longer terms in the country. Only the niche case of notarizing electronic estate-planning documents triggers a separate $25,000 bond.

What topics and rules should you know?

A few Ohio specifics account for most missed questions, so make sure these are clear before you test:

Topic	Key Ohio rule
Exam format	Closed book; score 80% or higher to pass (Ohio Revised Code 147.021)
Education	3-hour course through an authorized provider; required for new and renewing
Education + testing fee	About $130 for non-attorneys, paid to the provider (non-refundable)
State application fee	$15, paid to the Secretary of State
Surety bond	None for a standard commission
Commission term	5 years

What requirements must you meet before you apply?

Before you can be commissioned you must clear a background check, finish the course, pass the exam, and apply. Here is the general sequence:

Be at least 18 and an Ohio resident (or a non-resident attorney licensed in Ohio with a principal place of practice in the state).
Order your Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check before paying for education.
Complete the 3-hour course and pass the closed-book exam with 80% through an authorized provider.
Upload your certificate of completion and apply to the Secretary of State with the $15 fee.
Purchase your notary stamp before performing notarial acts.

Ohio notary exam: frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to become a notary in Ohio?: The provider education-and-testing fee is about $130 for non-attorneys (around $75 for attorneys), and the state application fee is $15. Add your BCI background check and a stamp, and the total generally runs $170 to $220.
Is the Ohio notary exam open book?: No. The exam is closed book and proctored through an authorized provider, with about 20 to 30 questions and an 80% passing score. Results are usually immediate.
Does Ohio require a notary bond?: No, not for a standard commission. A $25,000 bond applies only to notaries who notarize electronic estate-planning documents.
What happens if I fail the Ohio exam?: You generally must wait 30 days to retake it, and a second failure means restarting the application process. The education-and-testing fee is non-refundable.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Ohio Secretary of State (Notary education and testing pages and authorized provider list), the Notary Public Modernization Act (Senate Bill 263, 2019), and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 (including 147.021). Confirm the current version on the Ohio Secretary of State website.

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