ODNR is in need of a Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform that complies with Ohio law (R.C. 147.60 through 147.66 and OAC 111:6-1-05) to allow for the notarization of documents by remote means. ODNR staff routinely need to sign documents that require a notary to witness the signer's signature. This includes: Contracts (approximately 200 per year require notarization); and Documents related to litigation that ODNR is party to, such as affidavits and interrogatories (approximately 25 per year). While ODNR has notaries on staff, notarization is currently only able to be performed by both the signer and the notary being physically present together at the time of signing with the document in paper format. When the document that needs to be notarized is related to litigation, ODNR is often not provided with the final document until it urgently needs to be signed and notarized in order to meet court-imposed filing deadlines.
