Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 147 | Notaries Public and Commissioners
Section 147.542 | Notarial Certificates.

Effective: September 20, 2019
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 263 - 132nd General Assembly
(A) A notary public shall provide a completed notarial certificate for every notarial act the notary public performs.
(B) For an acknowledgment and a jurat, the corresponding notarial certificate shall indicate the type of notarization being performed.
(C) 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.
(D) (1) An acknowledgment certificate shall clearly state that no oath or affirmation was administered to the signer with regard to the notarial act.
(2) A jurat certificate shall clearly state that an oath or affirmation was administered to the signer with regard to the notarial act.
(E) (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.
(F) 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.
(G) 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.
(H) 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.

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