RULE 15
NOTARIES PUBLIC
15.01 Application
Applicants for Ohio Notary Public Commissions must be residents of Summit County. All applications for new or renewal commissions shall be filed at the Akron Bar Association, 90 South High Street, Akron, Ohio 44308. All such applications filed shall then be delivered to the subcommittee for Notaries Public, made up of six (6) members of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the Akron Bar Association. This subcommittee shall determine each applicant's qualifications, both as to the knowledge required to properly discharge the acts of Notary Public, and to the applicant's character. When a renewal application is filed, the applicant may be examined regarding conduct in the past performance of duties as Notary Public. The subcommittee may publish the names of all such applicants for original or renewal commissions and request that information be supplied to the members of the Akron Bar Association regarding the qualifications of the applicants.
15.02 Examination by Committee
The above subcommittee shall examine the applicants at regular times, to be determined by the committee, but in no event shall the period of time between the filing of the application and the examination be more than sixty (60) days.
15.03 Report of the Committee
The subcommittee shall attach a written report to each application within seven (7) days following the examination, and shall notify the successful applicants to appear in Court before a judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court at a time specified. At this time, at least one member of the committee shall be in attendance. The Court shall then proceed to examine any and all of the applicants, or in its discretion, continue the examination of any or all said applicants. The Court shall also receive the report of the committee concerning the qualifications of the applicants. If satisfied, the Court shall advise and admonish each of them with respect to the duties, powers and conduct of a Notary Public and shall admit the applicants to the office of Notary Public.
15.04 Fees for Notary Applications
The fees and charges relative to the application for Commission of Notary Public shall be as follows:
Original Application $55.00
Re-examination $35.00
Renewal Application $55.00
Attorney Application $50.00
These fees do not include recording fee payable to the Clerk of Courts of Summit County.
From these fees and charges shall be paid all expenses of preparation of examination and office procedure.
(This rule shall be effective from and after June 1, 2007)
15.05 Return of Fees
The fees set forth in Rule 15.04 must be paid before applications may be considered. The fees will not be returned to the applicant unless the applicant is not permitted to take the examination by reason of lack of citizenship, legal residence or other statutory requirements. Each applicant's name shall be placed on the examination roll. If an applicant fails to receive a recommendation of approval, a new application may be filed after sixty (60) days from notice of refusal, and an additional re-examination fee must accompany each subsequent application.
15.06 Ruling on Applications
No judge shall consider or act upon the application of any person to become a Notary Public unless there is first submitted a report of the committee that conducted the examination of such applicant. In the case of an unfavorable report by the committee, such applicant within three (3) days of the submission of the adverse report to the judge, may give written notice to the Presiding Judge and to the committee of the applicant's desire for further hearing before the Court. Thereupon, the Presiding Judge shall set a time and place for such further hearing, or shall assign the matter to another judge for hearing. The Presiding Judge or such designated judge, shall after due hearing, grant or refuse such application as the facts and law may require.
15.07
Complaint to Remove
Any complaint filed by the committee seeking to have a Notary Public removed, suspended or disciplined, shall be heard by the Presiding Judge or other judge, at such time and place as the Presiding Judge or designated judge shall determine, and after notice thereof to the committee and the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed.