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Important: Bond Not Required for Standard Notaries
Most Ohio notaries do NOT need a surety bond. Ohio law does not require bonds for standard notarizations (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations).
The $25,000 bond is only required if you choose to notarize electronic estate planning documents (e-wills and electronic powers of attorney). If you only perform traditional notarizations, you can skip this bond entirely.
Ohio Notary Bond | Electronic Estate Planning Documents
Ohio requires a $25,000 surety bond plus $25,000 E&O insurance for notaries who perform electronic notarizations of estate planning documents (e-wills, electronic powers of attorney). Standard notaries performing traditional paper-based notarizations do not need any bond.
Ohio is one of the few states that does not require bonds for standard notary work. With approximately 85,000 active notaries serving the nation's 7th most populous state, the vast majority perform traditional paper-based notarizations without any bond requirement. The specialized $25,000 bond applies exclusively to the emerging field of electronic estate planning documents.
Why Ohio Created This Specialized Requirement
Electronic wills and powers of attorney involve high-stakes estate planning decisions worth potentially millions of dollars. Unlike routine acknowledgments or jurats, errors in e-wills can have devastating consequences for families and estates. Ohio's dual requirement ($25,000 bond + $25,000 E&O insurance) ensures notaries offering these specialized services carry adequate protection for both the public and themselves.
Two Types of Ohio Notaries
Standard Notaries (No Bond)
- • Acknowledgments
- • Jurats
- • Oaths and affirmations
- • Copy certifications
- • All traditional paper notarizations
- • No bond required
Electronic Estate Notaries (Bond Required)
- • Electronic wills (e-wills)
- • Electronic powers of attorney
- • $25,000 bond required
- • $25,000 E&O insurance required
- • Must file proof with SOS
- • Can still do standard notarizations
Similar to how contractor license bonds protect against construction defects, Ohio's electronic estate notary bond protects families from errors in high-stakes legal documents. For general surety bond information, visit our complete bond platform.
Complete 3-Hour Education Course
Take the mandatory 3-hour notary education course from an Ohio-approved provider. Cost is $130 including the exam. Licensed attorneys must take the course but are exempt from the exam.
Pass the Ohio Notary Exam
Pass the comprehensive exam covering Ohio notary laws, procedures, and ethics. If you fail, you can retake after 30 days (within 6 months of your background check). Second failure requires restarting the process.
Complete Criminal Background Check
Submit to a criminal background check as part of the application process. Your background check remains valid for 6 months while you complete other requirements.
Apply Online with Secretary of State
File your notary application online at notary.ohiosos.gov. Pay the $15 application fee. Ensure you meet residency requirements (Ohio resident or non-resident attorney with principal office in Ohio).
Obtain Notary Seal and Supplies
Once commissioned, purchase your official Ohio notary seal and journal. These are required for all notarizations and are not provided by the state.
Begin Notarizing (Standard Notaries Stop Here)
You can now perform all standard notarizations for 5 years. Most Ohio notaries stop here and never need a bond. If you only do traditional paper-based notarizations, you're done!
Optional: Get Bond for Electronic Estate Documents
If you want to offer electronic estate planning notarizations, purchase a $25,000 surety bond and $25,000 E&O insurance policy. File proof with the Secretary of State before performing any e-wills or electronic POA notarizations.
File Bond and Insurance with Ohio SOS
Submit proof of both your $25,000 bond and $25,000 E&O insurance to the Ohio Secretary of State. Only after filing can you legally notarize electronic estate planning documents.
Additional Costs for Electronic Estate Services:
*E&O insurance renews annually. Bond is one-time premium for full 5-year term. Most notaries never need the bond and insurance unless offering specialized electronic estate services.
We serve notaries throughout Ohio's diverse economy, from manufacturing hubs to financial centers.
Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Section
180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 466-2655
Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Division →U.S. Department of Treasury
Federal surety bond program oversight and carrier certification
U.S. Department of Treasury - Surety Bond Program →"A notary public who is authorized to perform notarial acts with respect to electronic documents shall obtain and maintain a surety bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars and errors and omissions insurance in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars."Ohio Secretary of State - Notary Public Division •Ohio Revised Code §147.03
Ohio's diverse economy spans automotive manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and financial services. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati drive significant business documentation needs.
Traditional notaries serve everyday document needs without bond requirements. Electronic estate planning notaries serve high-net-worth clients and estate attorneys with specialized bonded services.
Serving Notaries Throughout Ohio
We serve all major cities as well as smaller towns around Ohio
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