Ohio Proposes Sweeping Changes to Notary Laws

Last week, Ohio Senators Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) introduced the "Notary Modernization Act" which makes sweeping changes to Ohio's notary public system. Among other changes, it centralizes notary registrations with the Secretary of State, increases fees, authorizes "online notarization," and changes the definition of "acknowledgment." According to its sponsors, the bill is intended to "update and enhance the notary public system in Ohio."