Is self-notarization allowed in Ohio?

In Ohio, self-notarization is not permitted. This means that a notary public cannot notarize their own signature on any document. The underlying principle is that the notary must maintain impartiality and cannot act as a witness to their own acts. Notarization is meant to provide an unbiased verification of a signature, which would be compromised if a notary could notarize their own documents.

This requirement ensures the integrity and trustworthiness of the notarization process, reinforcing the role of the notary as an impartial third party in transactions. The prohibition against self-notarization is a standard practice in many states to uphold the credibility of notarized documents.