FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING NOTARY PUBLIC

                WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC?

                        A notary is a public officer appointed by the Governor of Ohio.  Official duties of a notary are administering oaths, take
                        and certify depositions, take and certify acknowledgements, and receive, make and record notarial protests.

                        It can not be emphasized enough that a notarial commission does not grant the notary permission to practice law in the
                        State of Ohio.  Should you have any questions as to what constitutes the "practice of law", please consult an attorney,
                        or contact the Bar Association Office (330) 675-2415.

                        WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME A TRUMBULL COUNTY NOTARY PUBLIC?

                        An applicant must reside in Trumbull County, be eighteen years of age, a registered voter, and be of good moral
                        character.

                        CAN I NOTARIZE A DOCUMENT FOR MY HUSBAND/WIFE?

                        We would advise you NOT to do this.  It may be the one area that gets you into trouble.  A husband and wife's personal
                        and financial affairs are usually intertwined and one's gain would be seen as a gain for both.  YOU SHOULD NEVER
                        NOTARIZE A DOCUMENT THAT YOU HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN.

                        IF SOMEONE BRINGS ME A DOCUMENT THAT IS ALREADY SIGNED, MAY I NOTARIZE IT?

                        NO! The document may NOT be signed before bringing it into the Notary.  This is true, however, only for taking
                        acknowledgements of documents.  When a Notary administers an oath or affirmation in connection with the
                        execution of an affidavit, the affidavit must be signed in the presence of the Notary.

                        WHEN NOTARIZING A DOCUMENT, MUST A PERSON PERSONALLY APPEAR BEFORE ME IN ORDER FOR
                        ME TO NOTARIZE IT?             

                        Yes, the person must personally appear and present proper identification.  It has been held that a Notary Public can be personally
                        liable for money damages for failing to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of the person seeking to have a document
                        notarized.  Please consult the Civil Liability section of the Notary Guidebook.

                        IS MY COMMISSION ONLY GOOD IN TRUMBULL COUNTY? 

                        A notary commission is good statewide, but must be recorded in the county where you reside.

                        WHAT IS THE MOST I CAN CHARGE AS A NOTARY FOR ANY SINGLE DOCUMENT OR SIGNATURE THAT I NOTARIZE?

                        Notary Public fees are set by statute.  Please consult the fee section of your Notary Public handbook.

                        WHAT DO I DO IF MY NAME CHANGES BEFORE MY CURRENT COMMISSION EXPIRES?

                        First of all, you must notify the State of any change in your commission, name, address, etc., WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SAID CHANGE!
                       You may do so by downloading the form on the State's website www.sos.state.oh.us  or picking it up in the Bar Association office.
                       Go to the Notary section and click on "Amending Notary Public Information".   You will be able to print out the form you need to submit
                       to the state along with any fees you may incur.  The fee for a duplicate commission is minimal ($2.00) and we suggest that you take the
                       steps to correct your information.  In the meantime, you may still use your current commission.  When notarizing, you will sign your new
                       legal name.  Write "commissioned as" and print or stamp your former name on the document. 

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