COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is launching a new system to modernize the way people notarize in Ohio.
For years, Ohio has maintained a notary commissioning system that has allowed all 88 counties to institute their own licensing and skill requirements for their Notaries Public. Under the new, streamlined system, individuals interested in obtaining a notary public commission will apply for and renew their commission directly through the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Additionally, Ohio will begin allowing for online notarization, which provides Ohioans the opportunity to have a document notarized while out of state or overseas. For example, service members who are seeking the opportunity to obtain a notarization of a mortgage document won’t have to wait until they return from deployment.
Electronic notarization also will be implemented, providing the ability to notarize digital documents for the first time.
“Ohio is just the sixth state to allow for online notarization,” LaRose said. “That innovation, along with our additional modernizations, is another feather in Ohio’s cap as we work to make our state a great place for business to thrive so that Ohio families can proposer.”
The new state notary portal can be found by visiting www.sos.state.oh.us/notary/.