Does Ohio law allow out-of-state notaries to perform notarial acts in Ohio?

Ohio law specifically requires that a notarial act be performed by a notary who is commissioned in Ohio and is physically present in the state at the time of the act. This ensures that the notary is familiar with Ohio’s laws and regulations, which govern the execution of notarial services. The physical presence of the notary in Ohio is essential to uphold the integrity and validity of the notarial procedure, as it allows for proper identification of the signers and assurance that all requirements are met.

While some jurisdictions may have reciprocal agreements allowing out-of-state notaries to perform certain acts, Ohio maintains a clear policy that notaries must be appointed and operating within the state. This policy serves to protect the legal framework of notarial acts conducted in Ohio and helps to mitigate potential issues such as misidentification or misunderstanding of Ohio laws applicable to notarial acts.