Ohio Notary Practice Exam

What happens to the authentication of a notary public's commission used for documents outside of Ohio?

1. It is archived in the state's records

2. It is published in a public notice

3. It is forwarded with the papers to the foreign jurisdiction

4. It is kept confidential, except to relevant parties

The correct answer is: It is forwarded with the papers to the foreign jurisdiction

When a notary public's commission is used for documents that will be submitted outside of Ohio, that commission is typically forwarded along with the documents to the foreign jurisdiction. This is essential for ensuring that the receiving authority recognizes the validity of the notary's official acts. Including the authentication helps establish that the notarization was performed by a legally appointed notary with the proper authority, thus lending credibility to the document in question as it moves across state or national borders. In this process, the foreign jurisdiction often requires verification of the notary's commission to ensure that the signatures and seals are legitimate and that the notary is qualified to perform notarial acts. By providing a copy of the commission, the parties involved can verify the commission’s active status and the specifics of the notary's powers, which is integral to the document’s acceptance and use in that jurisdiction.