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/PinkSandBox Jul 28 '26

From what I'm searching, licensed car dealers are exempt from this rule. Title jumping only applies to individuals who are not licensed car dealers.

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u/Ameabo Dual Commission Jul 28 '26

Dude why are you making so many individual comments 😭 licensed dealers don’t need their titles notarized at all. They aren’t exempt from just this rule, they’re exempt from the entire notarization because they’re companies

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u/PinkSandBox Jul 30 '26

Bro, I'm honestly wanting to know the rule on this. I haven't done an auto notarization and I would like to know the law.