Ohio Notary Background Check

Why the BCI Check Comes Before Everything Else

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check isn't just a box to tick — it's the step that determines whether you should spend any money on education and exam fees. Ohio's approved training providers don't offer refunds, so if you pay $130 for the education course before knowing your background check status, you're gambling that money against an unknown outcome.

Here's exactly how the BCI fingerprinting process works for Ohio notary applicants.

Finding a WebCheck Provider

You'll get fingerprinted at an authorized WebCheck location — these are electronic fingerprint scan stations linked to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Ohio Attorney General's office maintains a directory of approved locations, but common options include:

• County sheriff's offices
• Police departments
• Bar association offices (the Columbus Bar Association operates its own station)
• Private fingerprinting services

Not every fingerprinting location is WebCheck-certified for notary applications. Before scheduling, confirm the provider can process a notary commission background check specifically.

The Critical Reason Code

When you arrive at the WebCheck location, you must explicitly tell the operator to use reason code 147.022 — "Applicant for a Notary Commission."

This is not optional. If the operator uses a general employment code, a school licensing code, or any other reason code, the Secretary of State will reject your application. You'll need to schedule a new fingerprinting appointment, pay the fee again, and wait for new results.

The reason code tells BCI to route your results correctly and tells the Secretary of State that the report was pulled for the right purpose. Ask for confirmation that 147.022 was entered before you leave the appointment.

Cost and Processing Time

• Fee: $35–$50, depending on the provider's administrative markup on top of BCI's base processing fee
• Processing: Results are mailed directly to your residential address by BCI, typically within 5–14 business days
• Payment: Most providers accept credit/debit cards; some accept cash only

The results come by mail — not email, not through the WebCheck provider. You'll receive the report at the home address you provided during fingerprinting.

The Six-Month Validity Window

Your BCI report is valid for exactly six months from the date of your fingerprint scan. If you don't submit your completed application to the Secretary of State within that window, the report expires and you'll need a fresh scan.

This is why sequence matters. A realistic timeline looks like this:

1. Week 1: Get fingerprinted
2. Weeks 2–3: Receive BCI results by mail
3. Weeks 3–4: Complete education course and exam
4. Week 4: Submit application through notary.ohiosos.gov
5. Weeks 5–6: Receive commission approval by email

That leaves you well within the six-month window even if there are minor delays. But if you get fingerprinted and then wait three or four months before registering for the education course, you're cutting it dangerously close.

Who's Exempt

Two groups skip the BCI background check entirely:

• Attorneys in good standing with the Supreme Court of Ohio are fully exempt from the background check requirement
• Ohio Peace Officers don't need a BCI report but must upload a current copy of their Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) certification instead

Everyone else — no exceptions — needs the BCI report before the Secretary of State will process their application.

Renewal Applicants Need a New Check

If you're renewing your commission (which you can do within 90 days of your five-year expiration), you need a fresh BCI report. Your original background check from five years ago doesn't carry forward. The same rules apply: reason code 147.022, six-month validity, and the $35–$50 fee.

The Ohio notary commission guide tracks the BCI process from scheduling through submission, with reminders for the reason code and validity deadline so nothing falls through the cracks.

See more Ohio guides →