Notary Publics

Qualifications of a Notary Public

18 years of age
Citizen of the State of Ohio
Resident of county in which you are applying
Good moral character

How to Become a Notary Public

To become a notary public, you must meet with the Judge who will go over the rules that a notary public must know. The meeting with the Judge can be scheduled by contacting the Court Administrator, Lynn Vance, at (419) 399-8220 or via email.

You will need to bring the following to the meeting:

$20.00 application fee. If paying by check, please make check payable to Ann Pease, Clerk of Courts.
Proof of identity (Driver’s License)

Prior to meeting with the Judge, you will complete an application to become a notary. The application fee of $20.00 will be paid at that time and will cover the cost of an Ohio Notary Public Handbook for you to keep.

After meeting with you, the Judge will determine if you meet the qualifications necessary to discharge the duties of Notary Public in the State of Ohio.

If the Judge determines that you meet the qualifications, the Judge will provide you with a second application that you will send to the Secretary of State/Notary Commission with a check or money order for $15.00, payable to “SOS/Notary Commission”. The Secretary of State/Notary Commission will process your application and send you a Notary Certificate. You must then record the Notary Certificate in the Clerk of Courts office on the first floor of the courthouse. In order to record your Notary Certificate, you will be required to pay a $6.00 filing fee with the Clerk of Courts.

YOU ARE NOT A VALID NOTARY PUBLIC UNTIL YOUR NOTARY CERTIFICATE IS RECORDED IN THE CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU RESIDE.

How to Renew your Notary Public Commission

A notary public commission is good for five (5) years from when it is granted. Approximately 45 days before the expiration of your notary commission, a notary should request a renewal of their commission.

In order to request a renewal application, please contact Lynn Vance, the Paulding County Common Pleas Court Administrator at (419) 399-8220 or via email at: lvance@pauldingcounty-oh.com to schedule an appointment to renew your notary. The application for the renewed commission must also be sent to the Secretary of State with a $15.00 check or money order made payable to the “SOS/Notary Commission” and the renewed commission must also be recorded with the Paulding County Clerk of Courts by paying a $6.00 filing fee.

Seal

Each notary must obtain a seal at his/her own expense. The seal may be either a stamp or an embosser. An embosser crimps the paper, the stamp inks it. The seal consists of the Ohio state seal within a circle one-inch in diameter. It shall be surrounded by the words “notary public”, “notary seal”, or words to that effect, the name of the notary public, and words “State of Ohio”. The notary’s name may be omitted from the seal if the name is legibly printed, stamped or typewritten near the notary’s signature. The seal is not required to have a county name on it, as any Ohio notary commission is good in any Ohio county. The seal can be purchased at the office supply store of your choice.

Change of Name

If a notary legally changes his or her name by marriage, divorce or any other reason, he or she may:

Continue to use his or her existing commission after a name change. At the normal renewal date, the notary would change his or her name. However, the notary must sign their new name, but indicate the name in which the commission was issued in parentheses or with the words “formerly known as” after the name on each document notarized; OR
Amend their notary by going to the Secretary of State website. Under Notary Commission, click on Application for Amendment of Notary Public Information. Please complete the form and forward to the Ohio Secretary of State with payment pursuant to the directions set forth online.

Expiration of Commission

Performing any act as a notary public knowing one’s term of office has expired will result in forfeiture of not more than $500.00 and permanent ineligibility for reappointment (R.C. Section 147.11). In the event your commission has expired, but you have not performed any act as a notary public, it may be possible to renew your notary. Please contact the Court Administrator immediately for further information.