Ohio Notary Duties

• Depositions taken by sheriffs in Ohio must be issued by a notary public. Christine Balderas/Photodisc/Getty Images

  In Ohio, a notary public owes various duties to clients, the courts, and other official public agencies. Some of these duties include properly notarizing a document, administering oaths, and issuing depositions taken by sheriffs. In all cases, he must verify the identity of the person executing the document or deposition.

Notarizing Documents

• Before performing any official acts, a notary public must obtain a seal of a notary public of Ohio, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.04 of Ohio Law. The notary must use this seal on each document he signs. If the name of the notary does not appear in the seal, it may be printed near his signature on each document.

Proving Certification

• The notary may be required to prove her certification in certain instances, by showing evidence of her commission. To do so, she must obtain a certified copy of her commissioning document from the clerk of the court in the state of Ohio and pay the required fee, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.06.

Certifications and Depositions

• The notary public may also take and certify depositions, acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney, and other written documentation. A notary public must issue depositions taken by sheriffs and constables.

Administering Oaths

• A notary public in Ohio may administer oaths required or authorized by law, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.07. A notary public in Ohio is also required to administer the appropriate oath to a person when notarizing an affidavit, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.14. If a notary fails to administer an oath while certifying an affidavit, he will be stripped of his notary powers and barred for three years from reappointment as a notary public.

Verifying Identity

• A notary public in Ohio is responsible for verifying the identity of the person giving an oath or signing a document, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.53. The notary must also sign a certificate of such acknowledgment, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.54. The person executing the document must appear before the notary, pursuant to Chapter 147 Section 147.541(A).