Ohio Notary Practice Exam

Who declares a notary public properly commissioned under the law for out-of-state use documents?

1. The Clerk of Courts of the Common Pleas

2. The Secretary of State

3. A Judge from the Supreme Court

4. The Attorney General

The correct answer is: The Secretary of State

The Secretary of State is responsible for the commissioning of notaries public in Ohio and ensuring they are properly trained and qualified to perform notarial acts. This includes providing the necessary documentation and authority for notaries to operate within the parameters set by Ohio law. When it comes to out-of-state use documents, it is particularly important for the Secretary of State to verify that the notary's act meets legal standards and can be recognized by other states. This process ensures that the notarial acts performed by Ohio notaries are valid and trusted, allowing documents to be used outside of Ohio with official recognition. Other choices do not hold the authority to declare a notary public's commission for this purpose; for instance, the Clerk of Courts handles local court-related matters, a Judge from the Supreme Court does not oversee notarial commissions, and the Attorney General does not have the direct role of commissioning notaries. Thus, the Secretary of State is the correct answer as the authoritative figure for commissioning notaries in Ohio.