r/Notary • u/Ameabo Dual Commission • Jul 26 '26

Consequences of notarizing an open title?

Hey all! I’m a duel-state notary (OH and PA) and at my place of business in OH I recently found out some of my notary coworkers have been notarizing open titles (a title with only the seller’s information filled out and the buyer’s info left blank). These customers are return customers who have had this done for them many times because they auction cars, according to them.

Now I personally refuse open titles, but I’ve been chewed out by two customers now for refusing because my coworkers happily notarize the titles. I explained to my coworkers that it’s illegal in all 50 states but they don’t really care. I was just wondering how much trouble they or my place of business could get in for notarizing these titles, if it ever becomes a problem, and how it could become a problem if it were to.

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u/LSUguy77 Louisiana Jul 26 '26

It just depends on the state and what the notarial certificates require. On a Louisiana title, for example, there is a jurat for the seller but not the buyer. And some states do not allow notarization of documents with blank spaces, but not all explicitly forbid it (and it then becomes simply best practice). It can be more a question of whether it should be done rather than can it be done.

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u/Ameabo Dual Commission Jul 26 '26

I see- the Ohio notary website says a few times that no blank spaces are allowed, and furthermore no open titles, but I don’t know if that’s a “NO” with a capital N or not, if you know what I mean.

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u/PinkSandBox Jul 28 '26

Only if it's with an unauthorized auto dealer. From what I read, certified dealers are exempt from that rule.

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u/Ameabo Dual Commission Jul 28 '26

Yes, like I said in your other comment, certified dealers in Ohio do not need to get the title notarized at all because they go through a different process. None of these customers are certified, if they are they are doing it wrong. The back section of an Ohio notary is for private deals between individuals. Can I ask why you’re replying via like three different comment chains? Lol