Scioto County Public Library offers free, limited Notary Public services for the benefit of the residents of our community. These services are provided in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 and the rules of the Ohio Secretary of State. Notary services are a convenience offered by the Library and are not a substitute for legal counsel. Library staff who are commissioned notaries are prohibited from providing legal advice or preparing documents.

Notary services are normally available weekdays between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm, though hours may vary by library branch location. Patrons are strongly encouraged to call ahead to confirm that a notary will be available and that the document can be notarized. Restrictions may apply regarding specific types of documents.

The Library’s free notary service is intended for simple documents that do not require specialized expertise. Documents must be complete, with no blank spaces other than signature lines, before being presented. The Library Notary may not notarize any signature if the document contains blank spaces. Patrons must sign documents in the presence of the notary. All signers must appear in person, with valid identification.

The Notary must have satisfactory evidence that the person executing the document(s) is the person described in the instrument. The person who will sign the document must provide the Notary with at least one valid and satisfactory form of identification. The Notary will decline to notarize the signature on a document if the signer cannot provide valid and satisfactory identification. Acceptable forms of identification are:

• A current passport from any country, written in English;
• A valid driver’s license from any state of the United States;
• A valid non-driver’s photo identification card from any state of the United States; or
• A United States Military identification card.

Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. Some examples of these are: birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates. Notary service is not available for the following:

• Deeds
• Wills
• Living wills
• Living trusts
• Codicils
• Depositions
• Power of Attorney
• Car Titles
• Mortgage or real estate closing documents

The Library will not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from customers using the library. If a witness is required, the patron must provide their own witness. The witness must also provide valid photo identification if they are signing the document.

Notaries will not provide service if a patron, document, or circumstance of the request for notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty. Each Library Notary retains the right, at their sole discretion, to decline to perform any notarial act if they are not comfortable proceeding, cannot verify identity or intent, or believe the act may create legal risk or violate notarial standards. Such refusal may occur for any reason permitted by law, and the Library will support the notary’s decision. Notaries will maintain an individual journal of each notarial act performed during library work hours.

Notary services must be performed in the Library. The Notary Public will not travel to provide notary services.

Scioto County Public Library will pay for or reimburse employees the cost to become a public notary or renew an existing notary commission with proper receipts and documentation. Please contact the Fiscal Officer prior to filling out a new or renewal application if you intend on SCPL reimbursing notary expenses.

REVISED: November 20th , 2025