Renew Ohio Notary Public Commission & RON Authorization

Ohio notary public commissions and Remote Online Notary (RON) authorizations are valid for 5 years. Renewing your commission and authorization must be done BEFORE they expire.

Renew Your Notary Public Commission

We provide state-approved, standard (1-hour) and expanded (3-hour) notary public renewal training and education.

Feature	Standard Renewal Course	Expanded Renewal Course
Course Length	1-hour	3-hours
Price	$45	$75
Meets State Requirements?	Yes	Yes
Course Format	Self-paced, 100% online course	Self-paced, 100% online course
Includes	Required 1-hour course and certificate of completion	3-hour course, downloadable handouts, ONS Guidebook, and certificate of completion
Best For	Experienced notaries who want to meet the state’s minimum requirement quickly	Notaries who want a deeper refresher with more examples, updates, and guidance for their next 5-year commission
Exam Required?	No	No
Accredited By	Ohio Secretary of State	Ohio Secretary of State
Renew Your Commission Today	Standard Renewal Course (1-Hour)	Expanded Renewal Course (3-Hour)

Not Sure Which Course To Choose?

• The Standard Renewal Course meets the state’s minimum training requirement — it’s ideal if you just need to renew quickly and confidently.
• The Expanded Renewal Course goes beyond the basics. It includes extra training, updated examples, and real-world refreshers designed to help experienced notaries stay sharp, avoid common mistakes, and better serve clients during the next 5-year commission.

Both options are state-approved, self-paced, and 100% online, but the Expanded course gives you more time, resources, and practical insights to strengthen your notary skills.

Renew Remote Online Notary (RON) Authorization

Register Now

Important Note: Ohio Notary Services does not provide refunds for missed renewal deadlines. If your commission expires, you must start over as a new applicant.

 

7 Steps to Renewing Your Notary Public Commission & RON Authorization

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Step 1
Get a Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check. Find nearby authorized agents at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office website.

Step 2
Use Code 147.022 when scheduling your BCI background check to ensure the disqualifying criminal offenses in Ohio notary law are specifically covered.

Step 3
The results of your BCI background check should be sent to you, not the Ohio Secretary of State or Ohio Notary Services.

Step 4
Take our online notary renewal course(s) and receive your certificate of completion. You will need to take two separate renewal courses for your notary public commission AND your remote online notary (RON) authorization if you intend to renew both. No exams are required!

Step 5
Upload your background check, certificate(s) of completion, and submit your application(s) to the Ohio Secretary of State's website.

Step 6
Receive your renewed commission and authorization via email.

Step 7
Return to Ohio Notary Services to order physical and digital Notary Stamps and Seals with your updated expiration date. Enjoy FREE standard shipping on all notary supplies bundles with code "FREE"!

 

Why 90 Days?

We recommend starting the renewal process 90 DAYS BEFORE your current notary commission and RON authorization expires to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any gaps in your notarial services.

No Grace Period

Ohio no longer provides a grace period for renewing expired notary commissions and RON authorizations. If your commission and authorization have expired, you must apply as a new applicant for both.

Background Check Required

As of September 2019, a background check is required to renew your Ohio notary public commission and remote online notary (RON) authorization. It can take FOUR TO SIX WEEKS to receive the results. If your commission and authorization expire while waiting on the results of your background check, the Notary Modernization Act requires you to register as a completely new applicant.

Renewing BOTH Your Commission & Authorization

Remote Online Notary (RON) authorization expires at the same time as your notary public commission. Both should be renewed before the expiration date. Renewing your commission and authorization requires additional training, documents, and applications to be submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State. It is important to give yourself enough time to complete all the necessary requirements if you wish to renew both.

We'll Reach Out Before You Need to Worry

Renewing your Ohio notary commission is straightforward when you start on time, but missing your window has real consequences. Ohio law provides no grace period for expired commissions, and a lapsed commission means starting over as a new applicant.

That's why Ohio Notary Services proactively reaches out to you approximately 60 days before your commission expiration date via email and phone call.

Please keep your contact information up to date with us by calling 330-436-0118 or emailing info@becomeanohionotary.com so you do not miss this important communication.

We'll let you know it's time, answer any questions you have, and walk you through the process.

Disclaimer: While Ohio Notary Services makes every effort to reach out before your expiration date, renewal outreach is a courtesy service. Notaries are responsible for ensuring their commission is renewed on time.

Still Have Questions?

Explore our online resources or talk with our notary experts.