A notary public is a state-commissioned officer who serves as an impartial witness to deter fraud and verify the identity and willingness of people signing important documents. Notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts, including administering oaths, taking affidavits, and certifying acknowledgments. A notary's primary duties are to ensure the signer is who they claim to be, is signing the document willingly, and understands its contents.
Patrons should call ahead to make an appointment with a notary and to confirm that they and their documents can meet the library's requirements for notary service. The library does not charge a fee for notary service.
Required for notary service:
- Form of ID with current address, such as a driver's license, utility bill, etc. (Completed) original document(s) to be notarized. (Do not complete vehicle title transfers in advance.)
- Original signer(s) must be present and sign in the presence of the notary.
- Online notarization (RON) is not provided.
- The notary cannot explain document content, provide advice, or assist in document completion.
- The notary cannot pre-date or post-date any action.
- A notary reserves the right to decline his/her services.
Journal of Notarial Acts
- The notary public will maintain records and complete an official register (Journal of Notarial Acts) for each transaction. This journal is the property of the individual notary and will be maintained by the notary until their commission expires, is not renewed, or upon death, at which time all the journals will be transferred to the Ohio Secretary of State.
- The library may photocopy the logs related to library employment.
The Journal of Notarial Acts will include:
- Date
- Signer's printed name
- Signer's current address
- Signer's signature
- Proof of verification ID (document[s] used to identify signer) (Often a driver’s license number)
- Document title
- Was an oath or an acknowledgment given
- Notary's name, position, and library location
Documents the library notary will not notarize:
- Vehicle title that is unusual or has already been signed by a seller who is not present, and/or a title with erasures, whiteout, or open titles.
- I-9 Certifications (not considered a notarial act) (notary can witness signatures)
- Medallion notary services (banks only)
- Financial transactions
- Certify a copy of vital records such as birth, marriage, or death certificates, etc. The notary can notarize an Affidavit from the principal stating that the record is a true and accurate copy of the original document.
- Documents when the notary is named as a party to the underlying transaction, has a financial or beneficial interest in the transaction, or is a signatory to a document, or is the document's originator.
- Final Will and Testament (not a notarized document by Ohio law)
For signers who do not speak English, the use of a translator is permissible, but not recommended. The notary may use a translator app or a professional translator. The notary must be able to communicate directly with the signer.