Key Takeaways
- Ohio notary seal must include the Great Seal of Ohio (coat of arms)
- Seal must be circular, 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter
- Must include "Notary Public," notary's name, and "State of Ohio"
- Seal must be kept under notary's exclusive control
- Electronic seal required for Remote Online Notarizations
Seal Requirements
Your notary seal is your official mark of authority. Ohio law specifies exactly what must appear on your seal and how it must be used.
Required Seal Elements
Every Ohio notary seal must contain ALL of the following:
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Great Seal of Ohio | The Ohio coat of arms in the center |
| "Notary Public" | Or "Notarial Seal" (or similar wording) |
| Notary's Name | As it appears on your commission |
| "State of Ohio" | Jurisdiction indicator |
Seal Specifications
Size Requirements
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Shape | Circular |
| Diameter | 3/4 inch to 1 inch |
| Border | Within a circular border |
Content Placement
The Great Seal of Ohio (coat of arms) must be in the center of the seal, with the required text surrounding it.
Seal Format Options
| Format | Traditional | RON |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber stamp (ink) | Yes | No |
| Embosser | Additional option | No |
| Electronic seal | No | Required |
Seal vs. Stamp
While often used interchangeably, there's a distinction:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Seal | The official device that makes the impression |
| Stamp | Often refers to the rubber stamp specifically |
| Impression | The mark left on the document |
Using Your Seal
When to Affix Seal
The notary seal must be affixed to every notarial certificate:
- After completing the certificate
- Near your signature
- In a clear, legible manner
Proper Seal Placement
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Place near your signature | Place over text or signatures |
| Ensure complete impression | Let seal run off page edge |
| Use appropriate ink | Use faded or unclear ink |
| Keep seal legible | Smudge or blur the impression |
Seal Impression Quality
The seal impression must be:
- Clear and legible
- Complete (all elements visible)
- Dark enough to be readable
- Not overlapping text or signatures
Seal Security
Exclusive Control Requirement
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Only you may use your seal | No lending to others |
| Keep it secure | Locked storage when not in use |
| Don't leave unattended | Prevent unauthorized use |
| Employer cannot use it | Even if they paid for it |
Lost or Stolen Seal
If your seal is lost, stolen, or damaged:
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Report to SOS | Notify Secretary of State promptly |
| Order replacement | Get new seal immediately |
| Cannot notarize | Do not perform notarizations without proper seal |
| Document the incident | Keep records of what happened |
Seal Destruction
Your seal must be destroyed when:
| Situation | When to Destroy |
|---|---|
| Commission expires | Immediately upon expiration |
| You resign | Same day as resignation |
| Commission is revoked | Immediately upon notice |
| You get a new seal | After new seal arrives |
| Name change | After new seal with new name arrives |
How to Destroy
| Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cut rubber stamp | Prevent use |
| Break embosser | Disable mechanism |
| Dispose separately | Don't leave intact in trash |
| Deface completely | Make unusable |
Electronic Seals (RON)
For Remote Online Notarizations, an electronic seal is required:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Digital/electronic |
| Elements | Same required elements as physical seal |
| Security | Tamper-evident |
| Platform | Provided through RON platform |
Common Seal Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete impression | Missing information | Re-stamp clearly |
| Over text/signature | Obscures content | Place in clear area |
| Faded ink | Hard to read | Re-ink stamp |
| Using expired seal | Invalid commission | Order new seal with current dates |
On the Exam
Key points about seals:
- Required elements: Great Seal of Ohio, "Notary Public," name, "State of Ohio"
- Size: 3/4 inch to 1 inch diameter, circular
- Security: Exclusive control, never lend
- Destruction: When commission ends or is revoked
- RON: Requires electronic seal
What must appear in the CENTER of an Ohio notary seal?
What is the required diameter range for an Ohio notary seal?
Your employer asks to keep your notary seal in the office so other employees can use it when you're away. What should you do?