1. (A) As used in this section, "electronic document," "electronic seal," "electronic signature," and "online notarization" have the same meanings as in section 147.60 of the Revised Code.

2. (B)

   1. (1) An electronic document that is signed in the physical presence of the notary public with an electronic signature and notarized with an electronic seal shall be considered an original document.
   2. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, a digital copy of a document executed electronically by the parties and acknowledged or sworn before a notary acting pursuant to this section shall be accepted by county auditors, clerks of courts of record, deputy registrars, engineers, and recorders for purposes of approval, transfer, and recording to the same extent as any other document that is submitted by an electronic recording method and shall not be rejected solely by reason of containing electronic signatures or an electronic notarization, including an online notarization.

   3. (3) A county auditor, clerk of a court of record, deputy registrar, engineer, and recorder shall accept a printed document that was executed electronically for purposes of approval, transfer, and recording if that document contains an attached authenticator certificate in the following, or a substantially similar, format: "AUTHENTICATOR CERTIFICATE I certify and warrant that the foregoing and annexed paper document being presented for record, to which this certification is attached, represents a true, exact, complete, and unaltered copy of the original electronic document. The county offices of the auditor, treasurer, recorder, and others necessary to effectuate the transfer and recording of the instrument shall be entitled to rely on such certification and warranty for all purposes. ________________________[signature of authenticator] ________________________[printed name of authenticator] ________________________[street address of authenticator] ________________________[city, state, zip code of - authenticator] ________________________[telephone number of - authenticator] The foregoing authenticator certificate was subscribed and sworn to in my presence by _________________________ [printed name of authenticator] on this ____ day of ________, 20___ _______________________ Notary Public"

      State of ____________________	)
      	):ss
      County of ___________________	)

3. (C) An authenticator certificate may not be signed or notarized with an electronic signature or electronic seal, either in person or through the use of an online notarization system.
4. (D) Any notary public may obtain an electronic seal and an electronic signature for the purposes of notarizing documents under this section.
5. (E) A notary public shall comply with the provisions of section 147.66 of the Revised Code pertaining to the electronic seal and electronic signature.

Last updated February 19, 2025 at 9:40 AM