Notarial certificates.

(A) A notary public shall provide a completed notarial certificate for every notarial act the notary public performs. (B) If a notarial certificate incorrectly indicates the type of notarization performed, the notary public shall provide a correct certificate at no charge to the person signing in question. (C) The form of a notarial certificate used by a person whose authority is recognized under section 147.51 of the Revised Code shall be accepted in this state if any of the following apply: (1) The notarial certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations of this state; (2) The notarial certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the notarial act is performed; (3) The certificate contains the words: (a) "Acknowledged before me," or their substantial equivalent, when taking an acknowledgment; (b) "Sworn to and subscribed before me," "affirmed to and subscribed before me," or their substantial equivalent, when executing a jurat. (D)(1) A notary public shall not use an acknowledgment certificate with regard to a notarial act in which an oath or affirmation has been administered. (2) A notary public shall not use a jurat certificate with regard to a notarial act in which an oath or affirmation has not been administered. (E) A certificate required under this section may be provided through any of the following means: (1) Preprinting on a notarial document; (2) Ink stamp; (3) Handwritten note; (4) A separate, attached document. (F) A notarial certificate shall show all of the following information: (1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed; (2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question; (3) The date on which the notarial act was performed; (4) The signature of the notary, exactly as shown on the notary's commission; (5) The notary's printed name, displayed below the notary's signature or inked stamp; (6) The notary's notarial seal and commission expiration date; (7) If an electronic document was signed in the physical presence of a notary and notarized pursuant to section 147.591 of the Revised Code, or if an online notarization was performed pursuant to sections 147.60 to 147.66 of the Revised Code, the certificate shall include a statement to that effect. (G) A notary public may explain to a signer the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat, but shall not, unless that notary is an attorney, advise the person on the type of notarial act that best suits a situation. Last updated February 19, 2025 at 9:39 AM