(A) A notary public shall provide a completed notarial certificate for every notarial act the notary public performs.
(B) If a notarial certificate incorrectly indicates the type of notarization performed, the notary public shall provide a correct certificate at no charge to the person signing in question.
(C) The form of a notarial certificate used by a person whose authority is recognized under section 147.51 of the Revised Code shall be accepted in this state if any of the following apply:
(1) The notarial certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations of this state;
(2) The notarial certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the notarial act is performed;
(3) The certificate contains the words:
(a) "Acknowledged before me," or their substantial equivalent, when taking an acknowledgment;
(b) "Sworn to and subscribed before me," "affirmed to and subscribed before me," or their substantial equivalent, when executing a jurat.
(D)(1) A notary public shall not use an acknowledgment certificate with regard to a notarial act in which an oath or affirmation has been administered.
(2) A notary public shall not use a jurat certificate with regard to a notarial act in which an oath or affirmation has not been administered.
(E) A certificate required under this section may be provided through any of the following means:
(1) Preprinting on a notarial document;
(2) Ink stamp;
(3) Handwritten note;
(4) A separate, attached document.
(F) A notarial certificate shall show all of the following information:
(1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed;
(2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question;
(3) The date on which the notarial act was performed;
(4) The signature of the notary, exactly as shown on the notary's commission;
(5) The notary's printed name, displayed below the notary's signature or inked stamp;
(6) The notary's notarial seal and commission expiration date;
(7) If an electronic document was signed in the physical presence of a notary and notarized pursuant to section 147.591 of the Revised Code, or if an online notarization was performed pursuant to sections 147.60 to 147.66 of the Revised Code, the certificate shall include a statement to that effect.
(G) A notary public may explain to a signer the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat, but shall not, unless that notary is an attorney, advise the person on the type of notarial act that best suits a situation.
Last updated February 19, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14
cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2020–2026 · leading case: State v. Pelfrey, 2022-Ohio-721, 186 N.E.3d 261.
State v. Pelfrey, 2022-Ohio-721, 186 N.E.3d 261. · cites it 14ד{¶ 47} As part of the same legislation, the legislature enacted R.C. 147.542, which contained language pertaining to both acknowledgments and jurats.”
Wallick Props. Midwest, L.L.C. v. Jama, 2021-Ohio-2830. · cites it 2דPursuant to R.C. 147.542, the notarial certificate must make clear the type of notarization being performed and whether an oath or affirmation was, or was not, administered to the signor regarding the notarial act.”
State v. Miller, 2023-Ohio-3448, 227 N.E.3d 1189. “011(C); see also R.C. 147.542(C). {¶ 23} Another common notarial act is certifying “acknowledgments” of signers.”
In re Disqualification of Park, 2024-Ohio-3184, 242 N.E.3d 59. · cites it 4ד” R.C. 147.542 does not expressly require that the jurat certificate also include language confirming that the signer subscribed or signed the affidavit before a notary.”
State ex rel. White v. Franklin Cty. Bd. of Elections (Slip Opinion), 2020-Ohio-524, 153 N.E.3d 1. “04; R.C. 147.542. {¶ 14} White argues in response that it does not matter if the statements were unsworn because in Georgetown, unsworn statements were used to establish the validity of petition signatures that did not match the voter-registration signatures on file.”
State ex rel. Ware v. Booth, 2024-Ohio-2102, 247 N.E.3d 341. “04, with a proper affidavit, see R.C. 147.542. But a review of Ware’s affidavit verifying the petition demonstrates that it satisfies all the statutory requirements.”
Ma v. Gomez, 2023-Ohio-524, 209 N.E.3d 178. “R.C. 147.542(D). Civ.R. 56(C) provides, in relevant part, that “[s]ummary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, * * * show…”
State v. Whittle, 2024-Ohio-1023. · cites it 2ד04, which requires a notary public to obtain a seal prior to the discharge of his or her official duties, and R.C. 147.542, the statute setting forth notarial certificate requirements.”
In re Disqualification of O'Brien, 2024-Ohio-6135, 243 N.E.3d 1292. · cites it 4דR.C. 147.542(A). R.C. 147.542(F) provides that the notarial certificate must show: (1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed; 2 January Term, 2024 (2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question; (3) The date on which the notarial act…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. · cites it 6ד” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Apple-Chamberlain v. Apple, 2025-Ohio-5388, 274 N.E.3d 1131. · cites it 3דIt stayed Scott’s claims for breach of contract and damages pending mediation and arbitration in accordance with dispute resolution clauses contained within the leases.”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. · cites it 6ד” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
In re Disqualification of Park, 2024-Ohio-3184, 242 N.E.3d 59. “” R.C. 147.542 does not expressly require that the jurat certificate also include language confirming that the signer subscribed or signed the affidavit before a notary.”
In re Disqualification of O'Brien, 2024-Ohio-6135, 243 N.E.3d 1292. “R.C. 147.542(A). R.C. 147.542(F) provides that the notarial certificate must show: (1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed; 2 January Term, 2024 (2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question; (3) The date on which the notarial act…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(B): 2 cases
Wallick Props. Midwest, L.L.C. v. Jama, 2021-Ohio-2830. “Pursuant to R.C. 147.542, the notarial certificate must make clear the type of notarization being performed and whether an oath or affirmation was, or was not, administered to the signor regarding the notarial act.”
State v. Pelfrey, 2022-Ohio-721, 186 N.E.3d 261. “{¶ 47} As part of the same legislation, the legislature enacted R.C. 147.542, which contained language pertaining to both acknowledgments and jurats.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(C): 4 cases
State v. Miller, 2023-Ohio-3448, 227 N.E.3d 1189. “011(C); see also R.C. 147.542(C). {¶ 23} Another common notarial act is certifying “acknowledgments” of signers.”
In re Disqualification of Park, 2024-Ohio-3184, 242 N.E.3d 59. “” R.C. 147.542 does not expressly require that the jurat certificate also include language confirming that the signer subscribed or signed the affidavit before a notary.”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(C)(3)(a): 2 cases
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(D): 1 case
Ma v. Gomez, 2023-Ohio-524, 209 N.E.3d 178. “R.C. 147.542(D). Civ.R. 56(C) provides, in relevant part, that “[s]ummary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, * * * show…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(D)(1): 2 cases
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(D)(2): 2 cases
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(F): 3 cases
In re Disqualification of O'Brien, 2024-Ohio-6135, 243 N.E.3d 1292. “R.C. 147.542(A). R.C. 147.542(F) provides that the notarial certificate must show: (1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed; 2 January Term, 2024 (2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question; (3) The date on which the notarial act…”
Apple-Chamberlain v. Apple, 2025-Ohio-5388, 274 N.E.3d 1131. “It stayed Scott’s claims for breach of contract and damages pending mediation and arbitration in accordance with dispute resolution clauses contained within the leases.”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025-Ohio-4723. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2026-Ohio-312, 277 N.E.3d 368. “” R.C. 147.542(A). As defined by statute, the “jurat” means a “notarial act” where “(1) [t]he signer of the notarized document is required to give an oath or affirmation that the statement in the notarized document is true and correct; [and] (2) [t]he signer signs the notarized…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(F)(3): 1 case
Apple-Chamberlain v. Apple, 2025-Ohio-5388, 274 N.E.3d 1131. “It stayed Scott’s claims for breach of contract and damages pending mediation and arbitration in accordance with dispute resolution clauses contained within the leases.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(F)(4): 1 case
In re Disqualification of O'Brien, 2024-Ohio-6135, 243 N.E.3d 1292. “R.C. 147.542(A). R.C. 147.542(F) provides that the notarial certificate must show: (1) The state and county venue where the notarization is being performed; 2 January Term, 2024 (2) The wording of the acknowledgment or jurat in question; (3) The date on which the notarial act…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(G): 1 case
State v. Pelfrey, 2022-Ohio-721, 186 N.E.3d 261. “{¶ 47} As part of the same legislation, the legislature enacted R.C. 147.542, which contained language pertaining to both acknowledgments and jurats.”
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