Can a notary in Ohio provide services during a pandemic?

In Ohio, notaries are permitted to provide services during a pandemic, especially through the use of remote notarization technology. The adoption of remote notarization has been particularly significant during health crises, allowing notaries to continue their essential duties while maintaining social distancing and safety protocols.

Remote notarization enables notaries to perform their functions using audio-visual technology, which ensures that signers can appear before the notary without being physically present in the same location. This approach aligns with public health guidelines and ensures that essential notary services can continue uninterrupted.

While certain conditions may apply to remote notarization, such as technology requirements and the need for compliance with Ohio's specific guidelines around remote notarization processes, the ability to use these technologies ensures that notaries can serve their communities effectively even in challenging circumstances like a pandemic. Thus, it remains a viable option for ensuring that legal documents can still be executed and notarized properly while adhering to health guidelines.