Do you need a bond to be a notary in Ohio?

No, not for a standard commission. A bond and errors and omissions insurance are only required to notarize electronic estate planning documents.

How long does the Ohio BCI background check take?

Up to 40 days, which is why you should order it before your course. It must be no more than six months old when you apply, using reason code 147.022.

Do attorneys have to take the exam or background check?

No. Ohio attorneys are exempt from both the exam and the BCI check, but they still complete the required education course.

How long does an Ohio notary commission last?

Five years for non-attorneys, with no grace period. If it lapses you must reapply as a new notary, so renew within the three-month window beforehand.

How much can an Ohio notary charge?

Up to $5 per notarial act for traditional notarizations. Remote online notaries may charge a higher fee plus a technology fee.

How to Become a Notary in Ohio (2026): Steps, Cost & BCI Check

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Ohio notary rules are set in Chapter 147 of the Revised Code and can change, so confirm the details with the Ohio Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Ohio you must be 18, an Ohio resident, order a BCI background check, complete a three-hour course, and pass an exam through an authorized provider. You then apply online to the Secretary of State with a $15 fee. There is no bond, the commission lasts five years, and the smartest move is to order the BCI first because it can take up to 40 days. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Ohio?

Becoming an Ohio notary typically costs $190 to $220, and the largest piece by far is the provider education and testing, around $130 for non-attorneys. The state's own application fee is only $15. The rest is your BCI background check, a stamp, and optional errors and omissions insurance. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Ohio?

You become an Ohio notary by clearing a background check, completing education, and applying through the Secretary of State portal. The steps, in order, are:

Order your BCI background check first. Request the Ohio criminal records check with reason code 147.022; it must be less than six months old when you apply and can take up to 40 days.
Complete the three-hour course and exam. Use a Secretary of State-authorized provider; non-attorneys take the course and pass the exam, and our Ohio notary exam practice test helps you prepare.
Gather your documents. Save your BCI report, your education and test completion certificate, and a signature image as PDFs.
Apply online with the $15 fee. File through the Ohio Secretary of State Notary Portal, upload your documents, and pay the fee.
Receive your commission and equip yourself. Sign the oath the state emails with your approval, then get your stamp and a record journal.

Why should you order your BCI background check first?

You order the BCI background check first because it is the slowest step and it expires, so doing it out of order is the most common way Ohio applicants stall. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation report can take up to 40 days to arrive, and it must be no more than six months old on the date you apply, so if you finish your course before ordering it you may end up waiting weeks with everything else ready. Request it with reason code 147.022 so the correct search is run.

What are the requirements to become an Ohio notary?

The Ohio requirements combine a background check with mandatory education. You must be at least 18, an Ohio resident or an Ohio-licensed attorney practicing primarily in the state, and free of disqualifying offenses under Revised Code 9.79. Non-attorneys must obtain a BCI report, complete a three-hour course, and pass an exam, all through an authorized provider. Ohio does not require a bond for a standard commission; a bond and insurance are only needed for the narrow case of notarizing electronic estate planning documents.

Do attorneys have to take the Ohio notary exam?

No, Ohio attorneys are exempt from both the exam and the BCI background check, though they must still complete the education. A licensed Ohio attorney takes the approved course and applies without the test or the criminal records check, and an attorney's commission continues as long as they remain in good standing and based in Ohio, rather than expiring on the standard five-year cycle.

How do you renew an Ohio notary commission?

You renew within the three-month window before your five-year commission expires, and there is no grace period, so a lapsed commission means reapplying as a brand-new notary. Renewal requires a fresh BCI report less than six months old, a one-hour refresher course with no exam, and the application fee through the Secretary of State portal. Start early, because the BCI report is just as slow at renewal as it is the first time.

Can you be an online notary in Ohio, and what can you charge?

Yes, Ohio allows remote online notarization after extra training and a separate authorization, and online notaries can charge more than traditional ones. A traditional Ohio notary may charge up to $5 per notarial act, while a remote online notary may charge a higher per-act fee plus a technology fee. To add online authorization you complete an approved RON course, pay the additional state fee, and tie the authorization to your existing commission.

Becoming an Ohio notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Ohio?: No, not for a standard commission. A bond and errors and omissions insurance are only required to notarize electronic estate planning documents.
How long does the Ohio BCI background check take?: Up to 40 days, which is why you should order it before your course. It must be no more than six months old when you apply, using reason code 147.022.
Do attorneys have to take the exam or background check?: No. Ohio attorneys are exempt from both the exam and the BCI check, but they still complete the required education course.
How long does an Ohio notary commission last?: Five years for non-attorneys, with no grace period. If it lapses you must reapply as a new notary, so renew within the three-month window beforehand.
How much can an Ohio notary charge?: Up to $5 per notarial act for traditional notarizations. Remote online notaries may charge a higher fee plus a technology fee.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Ohio Secretary of State, Notary Public Commissions and Notary Portal; Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 and section 9.79. Confirm current fees and steps with the Ohio Secretary of State before applying.