Free Ohio Notary Acknowledgment Template

An Ohio notary acknowledgment is a notarial certificate stating that an instrument was “acknowledged before me” by the named signer. Chapter 147 of the Ohio Revised Code governs it, and R.C. 147.542 requires a completed certificate for every notarial act.

The Ohio Secretary of State commissions notaries and publishes guidance on their duties.

Certificate Contents

R.C. 147.542 lists what every Ohio certificate must show. That includes the state and county venue, the acknowledgment wording, and the date. It also includes the notary’s signature exactly as commissioned, their printed name below the signature or stamp, and their seal and commission expiration date.

How the Certificate Appears

An Ohio notary acknowledgment can appear in several ways. It may be preprinted on the document, stamped in ink, handwritten, or supplied as a separate attached document. So if your document lacks wording, an attachment can fill the gap.

Notary Seal

According to the Secretary of State, the seal shows the coat of arms of Ohio, between ¾ inch and 1 inch in diameter. It also carries “Notary Public” and “State of Ohio.”

Fees

The Secretary of State lists a maximum of $5 per notarial act for traditional and electronic acts. Online notarizations can cost up to $30 per act, plus a technology fee of up to $10 per session. A notary may also charge a reasonable travel fee if you agree before the act. Fees can change, so confirm them when you book.

Electronic and Online Acts

If the notary acts on an electronic document in your presence, or performs an online notarization, the certificate must say so (R.C. 147.542).

The notary fixes it for free. Under R.C. 147.542(B), if a certificate incorrectly indicates the type of notarization performed, the notary must provide a correct certificate at no charge.

The statute also keeps the two main acts separate. For example, a notary can’t use an acknowledgment certificate after administering an oath or affirmation. Likewise, the notary can’t use a jurat certificate when no one took an oath.

A notary may explain the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat. However, unless the notary is an attorney, they can’t advise you on which act suits your situation. So decide which certificate you need before the appointment.

With the right certificate in hand, the visit is quick.

1. Pick the R.C. 147.55 short form that matches how you’re signing.
2. Fill in the state, county, date, and your name.
3. Bring identification the notary can rely on.
4. Appear before the notary and acknowledge the signature on the instrument.
5. The notary signs exactly as commissioned, prints their name, and applies the seal.
6. Check that the certificate shows the commission expiration date before you leave.

R.C. 147.55 sets out six “statutory short forms of acknowledgment.” Each opens with “State of” and “County of” lines. For an individual acting in their own right, the form uses this sentence: “The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of person acknowledging).”

Separate versions cover:

• A corporation, naming the officer or agent and the state of incorporation
• A limited liability company, naming the member or managing member
• A partnership, naming the acknowledging partner or agent
• An attorney in fact acting for a principal
• A public officer, trustee, or personal representative

Each short form ends with the signature and title or rank of the person taking the acknowledgment. Add the R.C. 147.542 details, such as the printed name, seal, and commission expiration date, to complete your Ohio notary acknowledgment. Document Genius puts the right short form in place before you go.