Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 147
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542 (2026)

Notarial certificates

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
April 3, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 315 - 135th General Assembly
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(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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
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State v. Pelfrey, 2022 Ohio 721 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 14× “{¶ 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “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. Miller, 2023 Ohio 3448 (Ohio 2023). “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 (Ohio 2024). · cites it 4× “” 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 (Ohio 2020). “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 (Ohio 2024). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “04, 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 (Ohio 2024). · cites it 4× “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 6× “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 3× “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, 2026 Ohio 312 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 6× “” 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…”
Show all 14 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(A) — 4 cases
In re Disqualification of Park, 2024 Ohio 3184 (Ohio 2024). “” 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 (Ohio 2024). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “{¶ 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 (Ohio 2023). “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 (Ohio 2024). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio 2024). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “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.”
State v. St. Valle, 2024 Ohio 1167 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 147.542(F)(2) — 2 cases
Grinder v. Schaaf, 2025 Ohio 4723 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “” 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “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 (Ohio 2024). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “{¶ 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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