The Signer, Document Preparer, Attorney, Agency, or receiving organization must determine which notarial act is required. As a Notary Public, we cannot choose the notarial act for you or provide legal advice. Listed below are common Notarial Certificates.
- Ohio Acknowledgment Certificate: Signer will declare to the Notary that the Signer has signed the document freely and for the purposes stated.
Example Acknowledgment Information:
“The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of signer acknowledged)”
- Ohio Jurat Certificate: Signer must sign the document in front of the Notary while taking an Oath or Affirmation that the statements in the document are true and correct.
Example Oath/Affirmation Information:
“Do you solemnly swear that the statements in this document are true, so help you God?”
“Do you affirm, under penalty of perjury, that the statements in this document are true?
Please select the Certificate that meets your need before your appointment and bring the appropriate Certificate if your document does not already include notarial wording.
Ohio law requires a notary public to verify the identity of each signer before performing a notarial act. Acceptable identification includes:
- Driver’s License (current)
- State-Issued Identification Card (current)
- U.S. Passport (current)
- Military Identification
- Other government-issued identification containing the signer’s photograph or signature that is satisfactory to the notary
In some circumstances, Ohio law permits identification through a credible witness who personally appears before the notary and meets statutory identification requirements.
A notary may request additional information or identification if necessary to establish the signer’s identity.
Ohio Revised Code Reference:
• ORC §147.50(B)(1) – Government-issued identification
• ORC §147.50(B)(2) – Credible witness identification
• ORC §147.50(C) – Additional identification may be required
For all notarizations, Signers must personally appear before the notary, present satisfactory identification, be willing participants, and demonstrate awareness and understanding of the document being signed. Name on ID should match the name on the document being signed.
To perform a notarial act, Ohio law generally requires that:
- The Signer personally appears before the notary.
- The Signer is properly identified.
- The Signer is willing to sign the document.
- The Signer appears aware of the contents and purpose of the document.
- The document is complete and not missing essential information.
A notary public cannot notarize a signature if the signer cannot be properly identified, appears unwilling, or lacks awareness of the transaction being completed.
Ohio Revised Code References:
• ORC §147.53 – Authority to refuse a notarial act
• ORC §147.55 – Grounds for refusing a notarial act
• ORC Chapter 147 – Ohio Notary Public Law
Ohio law requires a Notary Public to determine that a Signer is acting willingly and appears to understand the nature and purpose of the document being signed. A Notary may refuse to perform a notarial act if there is reason to believe the Signer is being coerced, lacks awareness of the transaction, is unable to communicate their intent, or is otherwise unable to meet Ohio’s legal requirements for notarization.
For the protection of all parties involved, the Notary must be able to communicate directly with the Signer and confirm that the Signer is acting voluntarily and understands the document being executed.
If these requirements cannot be met, the notarization may be postponed or declined.
Ohio Revised Code References:
• ORC §147.55 – Grounds for refusing a notarial act
• ORC §147.53 – Authority to refuse a notarial act
Not necessarily. However, any person whose signature is being notarized must personally appear before the Notary and present satisfactory identification.
For the Assignment of Ownership section, the Seller should complete the following information before the appointment:
• Selling price
• Date of sale/delivery
• Buyer’s legal name and address
• Odometer reading
• Appropriate odometer box checked
• Minor Consent Form information, if applicable
Important:
• The seller must sign in the presence of the notary.
• This section requires a jurat, meaning the seller must swear or affirm that the information provided is true and correct.
• Ohio law prohibits a notary from notarizing incomplete or blank documents.
• Missing or incomplete information may prevent the notarization from being completed.
Direct additional questions regarding transfers, ownership changes, or vehicle title, please contact the local Clerk of Courts Title Office, as a Notary Public cannot provide legal advice.
Yes. Any individual whose signature is being notarized must personally appear before the notary at the time of the notarization.
Important:
- Each Signer must be physically present before the Notary.
- Each Signer must present satisfactory identification.
- The Notary must be able to communicate directly with each Signer.
- The Notary must verify that each Signer is acting willingly and understands the document being signed.
- A Notary cannot notarize a signature for a person who is not present.
Ohio law requires personal appearance for all notarial acts.
No. A Notary Public is not authorized to provide legal advice, select legal forms, or determine which notarial act is appropriate for your situation.
Important:
- A Notary cannot explain the legal effect of a document.
- A Notary cannot advise you on which document to use.
- A Notary cannot choose the notarial act on your behalf.
- A Notary cannot prepare legal documents unless separately authorized to do so.
- Questions regarding legal rights, obligations, or document preparation should be directed to an Attorney or the document preparer.
Our role is limited to performing authorized notarial acts in accordance with Ohio law.
A Representative Signer is a person who signs a document on behalf of another individual or business, such as an Attorney-in-Fact acting under a Power of Attorney.
When notarizing for a Representative Signer:
- The Representative Signer must personally appear before the Notary.
- The document must be complete and free of blank spaces.
- The Signer must present satisfactory identification.
- The Signer should be prepared to indicate the authority under which they are signing.
- The Notary will perform the required notarial act and complete the appropriate notarial certificate.
The notarial certificate will reflect the Representative capacity of the Signer, such as “Attorney-in-Fact,” “Trustee,” or another authorized Representative role.
Please note that a notary public cannot provide legal advice, determine the legal validity of a Power of Attorney, or advise whether a person has authority to act on behalf of another.
Our Notary Professionals maintains industry-recognized credentials and continues to stay informed of Ohio notary laws and best practices.
Credentials include:
• Commissioned Ohio Notary Public
• Certified Loan Signing System (LSS) Loan Signing Agent
• National Notary Association (NNA) Certified Loan Signing Agent
• National Notary Association (NNA) Background Screened
• $1,000,000 Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
• Mobile Notary and Loan Signing Services throughout Dayton and surrounding Ohio communities
Yes. Qualified Witnesses are available upon request for many document types when permitted by law.
Please note:
• Witness services must be requested when scheduling your appointment.
• Witnesses are available for an additional fee.
• The number of witnesses required depends on the document and the requirements of the receiving agency or organization.
• Provided Witnesses will meet all applicable legal requirements
• If you provide your own witness(es), they must be present at the appointment with valid government-issued identification cannot have a prohibited interest in the transaction.