Ohio Notary Practice Exam

Can a notary certify that a document is an original or a true copy?

1. Yes, as a standard practice

2. No, they cannot make that certification

3. Only for public records

4. Yes, if they have verified it

The correct answer is: No, they cannot make that certification

In Ohio, notaries are not permitted to certify that a document is an original or a true copy. The role of a notary is to witness the signing of documents and to take acknowledgments, while ensuring the identity of the signers, but they do not have the authority to make declarations about the truthfulness of a document's content or its status as an original or copy. This limitation is important in maintaining the integrity and responsibility of notaries. While they can attest to the identities of the individuals involved in the signing process, affirming the authenticity of documents is outside their scope of duties. The other choices suggest scenarios that could misrepresent a notary's authority. For instance, suggesting that notaries can make such certifications as a standard practice misleads about their role, and limiting such a certification to public records does not hold up to the provisions governing notary practices in Ohio. The idea that notaries can certify documents if they have verified them overlooks the fundamental restrictions in place regarding what notaries can officially attest to.