Notary Law Change 9/20/2019


CHANGES IN NOTARY LAW EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

NOTARIES! CHANGE IN LAW! PLEASE READ! NEW NOTARY COMMISSION APPLICATION PROCESS STARTS SEPTEMBER 20, 2019!

APPLICATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE CLERK OF COURTS BY SEPTEMBER 10, 2019!

The Notary Modernization Act takes effect on September 20, 2019. Under the new law, all applications for notary commissions, renewals, online authorizations and updates to contact information must submit an application electronically to the secretary of state. COST OF APPLICATIONS ARE GOING UP AND A BACKGROUND CHECK WILL BE REQUIRED.

ATHENS COUNTY CLERK WILL ACCEPT NEW APPLICATIONS AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS FOR COMMISSIONS EXPIRING IN 2020 UNTIL 9/10/2019! After that no new or renewal applications will be expected.

An Ohio resident or a nonresident attorney who is licensed to practice law in Ohio and has a principal office in Ohio, who is at least 18 years old may apply to be commissioned as a notary public by completing the following steps.

First, obtain a criminal record check, current within six months of application. If the report shows no disqualifying offenses, then the applicant may proceed to the next step. (Note: Attorney applicants licensed to practice law in Ohio are exempt from this requirement).

Contact an authorized education and testing provider for a three-hour class and pass a test. (Note: Attorney applicants licensed to practice law in Ohio are exempt from the test, but must complete the education requirement).

Select File Online to submit your application to our office. Your application will require you to provide your email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth (must be 18 years old to be commissioned as a notary public), and then you must upload a copy of your criminal record check, certificates from the education and testing provider to show successful completion of the program and test, and an image of your signature. Attachments must be uploaded as PDFs. The fee to submit is $15.00.

RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
A non-attorney notary public’s commission expires five years from the date of issuance without the successful submission of a renewal application. The renewal application may be submitted within the three month period prior to the date of expiration. To renew, you must complete the following steps.

An applicant must first obtain a criminal record check, current within six months of the renewal application. If the report shows no disqualifying offenses, then the applicant may proceed to the next step.

Contact an authorized education and testing provider for a one-hour class.

Select File Online to submit your application to our office. You must upload a copy of your criminal record check and a certificate from the education provider to show successful completion of the class. Attachments must be uploaded as PDFs. The fee to submit is $15.00.

IF YOUR NOTARY COMMISSION EXPIRES IN 2020, YOU CAN RENEW NOW. YOUR RENEWAL MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE ATHENS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2019.

The earlier the better. The State will not approve notary application submissions not RECEIVED BY 9/19/19.

IF your commission expires in 2020, the State has announced that it will allow you to renew it right now.

Go to http's://www.ohiosos.gov/notary/#gref for more info.

- Judge George McCarthy