Mahoning County
Bar Association

Notary education,

made easy.

Where to begin?

Do you have everything you need? Check below to see if you are missing anything!

For New Notary, you will have to take a three-hour educational course, pass the test following the course, and obtain an Ohio BCI Fingerprint Background Check results with reason code 147.022. You can schedule your Ohio BCI Fingerprint Background Check appointment here.

You will need:

  • Proof of taking a three-hour educational course
  • Proof of passing the test following the course
  • Your Ohio BCI fingerprint background check results.
  • An image of your signature

to upload to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Notary Portal.

*PLEASE NOTE: When uploading your documents, you will use the certificate for BOTH proof of taking the class and proof of passing the test.

For Notary Renewal, you will have to take an hour educational course and obtain an Ohio BCI Fingerprint Background Check results with reason code 147.022. You can schedule your Ohio BCI Fingerprint Background Check appointment here.

You will need:

  • Proof of taking an hour educational course
  • Your Ohio BCI fingerprint background check results.

to upload to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Notary Portal.

*PLEASE NOTE: You should begin this process of renewal NO LATER than 3 months before your expiration date to allow time for processing your Ohio BCI Fingerprint Background Check.

If you are an attorney, you will have to take a three-hour educational course.

You will need:

  • Proof of taking a three-hour educational course
  • An image of your signature

to upload to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Notary Portal.