Cleveland • Columbus Cash or money order only
The Notarizers.com

Before your appointment

What to bring, and what a notary can’t do

A short checklist built from the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 147. If you are unsure what your document needs, ask whoever gave it to you, or an attorney.

  1. Every signer, in person

    Each person whose signature is being notarized must appear before the notary (ORC 147.49). We do not offer remote online notarization.

  2. Identification for each signer

    Ohio accepts any of these as proof of identity (ORC 147.50):

    • A government-issued ID with your photograph or signature, such as a driver’s license, state ID card or passport. It must be current, or expired for no more than three years.
    • A credible witness who swears to who you are. The witness must be known to the notary or show their own acceptable ID, and must have no interest in the document.
    • The notary knowing you personally, well enough to be reasonably certain who you are.

    The notary may ask for more information or another ID to be sure (ORC 147.50(C)).

  3. A complete document

    Fill in every blank before the appointment. A notary may not notarize a signature on a document that is incomplete or blank (ORC 147.141(A)(13)). If your document must be sworn to, you will sign it in front of the notary, so it is simplest to wait and sign there.

  4. Cash or money order

    $5.00 per notarial act, plus any travel fee you agreed in advance. No cards.

A notary can’t

  • Give legal advice or tell you which document or kind of notarization you need. We do not give legal advice or prepare documents. In Ohio a notary who is not a licensed attorney may not practice law, claim to be an attorney, or charge to prepare documents for a court or agency proceeding (ORC 147.142(B)).
  • Certify a copy as a true copy of an original. Ohio does allow the person who holds the document to sign a statement that the copy is true, and that signature can be notarized (ORC 147.141(A)(5) and (B)).
  • Decide whether a power of attorney is valid (ORC 147.141(A)(17)).
  • Notarize for a signer who appears mentally unable to understand the nature and effect of the document (ORC 147.141(A)(10)), or who appears unduly influenced or coerced (ORC 147.141(A)(14)).
  • Charge more than the law allows (ORC 147.141(A), ORC 147.08).

Good to know

  • We do not give legal advice, and we do not draft, explain or choose your document.
  • The notary completes a notarial certificate for each notarial act (ORC 147.542).
  • The Ohio Secretary of State commissions notaries in Ohio; its website has more on notaries.

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