OH Notary - Ohio Notary Notary Journal and Fees 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must an Ohio notary record in their journal for each notarial act?
- Only the signer's name and date
- The date, type of act, document type, signer's name, identification method, and fee charged (Correct answer)
- Only information required by the signer's attorney
- Only the fee amount collected
Correct answer: The date, type of act, document type, signer's name, identification method, and fee charged
Journals must include comprehensive information about each act.
An Ohio notary's journal should include the date and time, type of act, document description, signer's printed name and signature, identification method, signer's address, any fee charged, and additional notes.
Question 2: An Ohio notary who does not charge a fee:
- Does not need to maintain a journal
- Must still maintain a complete journal of all acts performed (Correct answer)
- Is exempt from bond requirements
- Cannot perform notarial acts legally
Correct answer: Must still maintain a complete journal of all acts performed
Journal-keeping requirements apply regardless of whether fees are charged.
The requirement to maintain a journal applies regardless of whether fees are charged. Many employer-based notaries charge nothing but must still maintain records.
Question 3: The maximum fee an Ohio notary may charge per act for administering an oath is:
- $1.00
- $1.50
- $2.00 (Correct answer)
- $5.00
Correct answer: $2.00
The maximum fee is $2.00 per act, including administering oaths.
Under ORC Section 147.08, the maximum fee for any notarial act is $2.00. This applies uniformly to all types of acts.
Question 4: Can an Ohio notary charge a separate travel fee for mobile notarizations?
- No, only the $2.00 statutory fee is permitted
- Yes, Ohio law allows reasonable travel fees separate from the notarial fee (Correct answer)
- Only if the distance exceeds 50 miles
- Only for notarizations at hospitals
Correct answer: Yes, Ohio law allows reasonable travel fees separate from the notarial fee
Notaries may charge a reasonable travel fee in addition to the statutory notarial fee.
While the notarial act fee is capped at $2.00, notaries who travel may charge a separate, reasonable travel fee disclosed in advance.
Question 5: How should an Ohio notary handle their journal if it becomes full before commission expires?
- Discard the old journal and start a new one
- Store the completed journal securely and begin a new journal (Correct answer)
- Send the completed journal to the Secretary of State
- Photocopy the journal and continue using the copies
Correct answer: Store the completed journal securely and begin a new journal
The completed journal should be securely stored and a new one started.
Securely store the completed journal and begin a new one. The completed journal must be retained for the required period. Number journals sequentially for organization.
Question 6: An Ohio notary's employer demands access to the notary's journal. How should the notary respond?
- Immediately hand over the journal
- Explain that the journal is their personal property and may only be shared as required by law (Correct answer)
- Allow the employer to photocopy the entire journal
- Ask the Secretary of State for permission
Correct answer: Explain that the journal is their personal property and may only be shared as required by law
The journal is the notary's personal property, not the employer's.
The notary journal is personal property, even if the employer paid for it. Entries may only be disclosed as required by law, such as by subpoena or Secretary of State request.
OH Notary - Ohio Notary Notary Journal and Fees 2
What information must an Ohio notary record in their journal for each notarial act?