What must a notary do if their commission is about to expire?

To maintain notary status, it is essential for a notary to renew their commission before it expires. In Ohio, notaries must be proactive about their commission's validity, as performing notarial acts with an expired commission could lead to legal issues and undermine the credibility of their work. Renewal processes are established to ensure that notaries maintain their qualifications and can continue to fulfill their duties within the legal framework.

Notaries are typically encouraged to begin the renewal process well in advance of the expiration date to allow enough time for any necessary paperwork, training, or background checks. If a notary fails to renew their commission and continues to perform notarial acts, any documents notarized during that time can be deemed invalid, leading to complications for their clients.

The other options fail to recognize the importance of maintaining an active commission and the implications of not doing so. For instance, doing nothing or waiting for expiration disregards the notary's responsibility and could result in loss of authority. Informing local authorities may be part of some processes, but it does not replace the necessity of renewal.