Notaries are very important to law firms in order to bind documents and ensure documents are being executed properly. Now, Ohio is leading the way for change pertaining to a more modern way of notarizing documents.
Soon, electronic notarization will be allowed to make authenticating documents easier and faster.
But, what does this change mean for new and exciting notaries. Big changes are coming for registration, commissioning and training of notary publics following the recent ruling and passage of Senate Bill 263, which is the Notary Public Moderation Act.
Requirements for Securing and Maintaining a Notary Commission Under SB263
|
Non-Attorney |
Attorneys |
Non-Attorneys |
Attorneys |
|
|
Background Checks |
X |
Required to self-report disqualifying offenses |
X |
Required to self-report disqualifying offenses |
|
Training Course |
X |
Only those seeking a commission for the first time |
X |
X |
|
Testing |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Renewal of Commission Every Five Years |
X |
X |
X |
The changes will help consumers feel more secure when having a notary public sign verifying signatures for authenticity of documents. The public needs protection from fraud when documents are notarized.
Currently, there are over 180,000 notary publics in the State of Ohio, which include approximately 50,000 attorneys. Right now, each county has their own rules and regulations and they vary from place to place. But, with the new Moderation Act, the entire State of Ohio will follow the same rules and regulations to make it uniform for notary publics to accurately witness and authenticate all the affidavits, oaths, property titles, grants, deeds, contracts, adoptions, etc.
But, how? By implementing electronic notary, providing more training and making sure all notary publics follow the same rules and regulation. Because Ohio is one of the few states leading the way in electronic notaries, there will be stringent standards to safeguard the new process. The State will also require non-attorney notary publics to have a background check, take training courses and testing, with a renewal of commission every five years. For online notaries, the same applies for non-attorney applicants, but for attorneys, they will have to attend the required training course, testing and repeat every five years.
To ensure the authenticity of a notary public, visit the staff at Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima for free notary public services.