OH Notary - Ohio Notary Exam Ohio Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing Remote Online Notarization in Ohio, a commissioned notary must first:
- Complete an additional 6-hour RON-specific training course
- Register with the Ohio Secretary of State as a RON-authorized notary (Correct answer)
- Obtain a separate RON commission distinct from their standard commission
- File a $25,000 surety bond with the county recorder
Correct answer: Register with the Ohio Secretary of State as a RON-authorized notary
Ohio law requires notaries to register with the Secretary of State before performing any RON. This registration is separate from the standard notary commission and ensures the notary has agreed to comply with RON technology and procedural requirements.
Question 2: How long must an Ohio notary retain the audio-visual recording of a completed RON session?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
Ohio RON law mandates that notaries retain audio-visual recordings of each RON session for a minimum of five years. This retention period supports auditability and provides evidence in case a notarization is later challenged.
Question 3: Under Ohio RON law, which combination of methods is required to verify a remote signer's identity?
- Credential analysis alone is sufficient if the ID is government-issued
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) alone is sufficient for returning signers
- Both credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) must be used together (Correct answer)
- A personal oath administered verbally during the session satisfies the identity requirement
Correct answer: Both credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) must be used together
Ohio requires a two-factor identity proofing process: credential analysis (scanning and verifying the government ID) AND knowledge-based authentication (dynamic quiz questions). Neither method alone satisfies the statutory requirement.
Question 4: Which statement about the notarial certificate in an Ohio RON transaction is correct?
- The certificate wording is identical to an in-person notarization certificate
- The certificate must include a statement that the notarization was performed using audio-visual communication (Correct answer)
- The certificate must list the IP address of the signer's device
- A separate paper certificate must accompany every electronic RON document
Correct answer: The certificate must include a statement that the notarization was performed using audio-visual communication
Ohio requires that the notarial certificate on a RON document explicitly state that the notarization was performed using audio-visual communication technology. This distinguishes it from an in-person act and provides transparency to document recipients.
Question 5: What does Ohio RON law require regarding the electronic seal and signature applied to a remotely notarized document?
- They must be printed, wet-signed, and rescanned before delivery
- They must be attached or logically associated with the document using tamper-evident technology (Correct answer)
- They must be renewed and reapplied every 12 months
- They must be countersigned by a second notary to be valid
Correct answer: They must be attached or logically associated with the document using tamper-evident technology
Ohio law mandates that a notary's electronic signature and seal be applied using tamper-evident technology, meaning any subsequent alteration to the document will be detectable. This safeguards document integrity after the notarization is complete.
Question 6: Under Ohio RON law, if the audio-visual connection is interrupted during a notarization session, the notary must:
- Continue the session using telephone audio only until the connection is restored
- Complete the notarization from memory if identity was already confirmed
- Terminate the session and restart the entire identity verification process if a new session is required (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to email a signed copy of the document instead
Correct answer: Terminate the session and restart the entire identity verification process if a new session is required
If the audio-visual connection fails, the notary cannot complete the RON and must stop the session. If the parties reconnect and wish to proceed, a new session — including a fresh identity verification — must be conducted, because continuity of the audio-visual record and identity confirmation is legally required throughout.
OH Notary - Ohio Notary Exam Ohio Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1
Before performing Remote Online Notarization in Ohio, a commissioned notary must first: