How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma

How do I renew my notary commission in Oklahoma?

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To renew your Oklahoma notary commission, follow the same steps you took when you applied to become a notary the first time. Oklahoma notaries may apply to renew their notary commissions no earlier than six weeks prior to their commission expiration date. The filing fee for a renewal is $20.00.

Click here to download instructions provided by the secretary of state for filing a renewal application on their website.

Note: A renewal application that is received by the secretary of state after the commission has expired will be processed as a new appointment and will require a $25 filing fee.

Click here to start the notary renewal application process in Oklahoma.

Who appoints notaries in Oklahoma?

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The Oklahoma Secretary of States receives applications for appointment and reappointment as a notary public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries.

Oklahoma Secretary of State
Notary Public Services
421 N.W. 13th Street, Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
(405) 521-2516 (Questions)
(405) 521-3912 (Form Requests)

Can a non-resident of Oklahoma apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. A non-resident notary applicant may apply to become a notary in Oklahoma if the applicant meets all the qualifications for an Oklahoma notary (except residency) and is employed within the State of Oklahoma.

Click here to apply as a non-resident notary applicant in Oklahoma on the secretary of state’s website.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Oklahoma?

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The commission term of an Oklahoma notary public is four years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission with the secretary of state.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Oklahoma?

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No. An applicant seeking appointment or reappointment as an Oklahoma notary public is not required to complete any notary training or pass a notary course or exam. The American Association of Notaries recommends that all Oklahoma notary applicants complete a notary course so they can clearly understand their state’s notary laws and the duties and responsibilities of a notary.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Oklahoma?

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The cost to become a notary in Oklahoma includes:

• A $25 filing fee to process an application for appointment as a notary public or a $20 filing fee to process an application for reappointment.
• The price of a four-year, $1,000 notary bond. Click here to view our Oklahoma notary bond price.
• The price for an official seal. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
• A $10 fee to file your notary bond, oath of office, and loyalty oath with the secretary of state.

Other optional expenses include the cost of purchasing:

• A notary journal. The Oklahoma Secretary of State recommends all Oklahoma notaries record their notarial acts in a notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
• An errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our notary e/o policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Oklahoma?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become an Oklahoma notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Oklahoma notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as an Oklahoma notary public.

Oklahoma notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website: https://www.oklahomanotary.com/notary-insurance.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Oklahoma?

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Yes. All Oklahoma notary applicants are required to maintain a four-year, $1,000 notary bond. The bond protects the public from notary errors. The notary bond must be uploaded to the secretary of state’s website not more than sixty days after the notary’s commission is issued by the secretary of state. If a notary does not file the bond within this time frame, their notary commission will show as inactive on the secretary of state’s website.

If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Oklahoma notary bonds are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website: https://www.oklahomanotary.com/oklahoma-notary-bond.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Oklahoma?

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The Oklahoma notary statute requires all notaries public to authenticate all official acts they perform using a metal notary seal or an inked notary stamp.

The Oklahoma official notary seal must include the following elements:

• The words "State of Oklahoma”
• The words "Notary Public"
• The notary’s name

Note:

• The notary’s commission number and commission expiration date may be part of the rubber stamp and/or an embosser seal.
• The Oklahoma notary law does not specify the ink color, shape, or dimensions of a notary seal.
• If a notary would like to order an additional notary stamp that has a distinct stamp impression from the one affixed to the notary bond during the application process, the new stamp impression must be emailed to the secretary of state before it can be used.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Oklahoma notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Oklahoma notary seal?

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If your notary seal is lost or stolen, you must:

1. Purchase a replacement notary seal. The secretary of state’s website states, “When purchasing a new stamp or seal, it is advisable to add a character or symbol (such as a star or asterisk) on the new notary seal to identify it from the lost or stolen notary seal.”
2. Deliver to the secretary of state a signed written notice of the loss or theft, the date the notary seal was first discovered missing, and what distinguishing character or symbol was added to your replacement notary seal (if any). Note: This step must be completed within ten days of the loss or theft.
3. Notify the appropriate law enforcement agency (in the case of theft).

How much can an Oklahoma notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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The Oklahoma notary fees are set by state notary statute (49 O.S. § 5).

Traditional Notarizations - The maximum allowable fees that an Oklahoma notary public may charge and collect for notarial acts are listed below:

• Taking an acknowledgment - $5.00
• Administering an oath or affirmation - $5.00
• Taking a verification upon oath or affirmation- $5.00
• Witnessing or attesting a signature - $5.00
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument - $5.00
• Certifying or attesting a copy - $5.00

Remote Online Notarizations - The maximum allowable fees that an Oklahoma remote online notary or a person acting for or on behalf of a notary public may charge and collect for remote online notarial acts are listed below:

• Taking an acknowledgment - $25.00
• Administering an oath or affirmation - $25.00
• Taking a verification upon oath or affirmation- $25.00
• Witnessing or attesting a signature - $25.00
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument - $25.00
• Certifying or attesting a copy - $25.00

Note: A notary public may not charge a fee to notarize an official absentee ballot affidavit.

Is a notary journal required in Oklahoma?

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Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Oklahoma:

• Traditional Notarizations - Notaries performing traditional notarizations are not required to maintain a notary journal; however, they are strongly encouraged to do so. The notary journal can be in a tangible or electronic format.
• Remote Online Notarizations - An Oklahoma remote online notary performing remote online notarizations must maintain a tamper-evident electronic notary journal.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices. 

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Oklahoma notaries record in their notary journals?

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For Traditional Notarizations - Although notaries performing traditional notarizations are not required to keep a notary journal, the secretary of state strongly encourages notaries to record the following information:

1. Date and type of notarial act.
2. A description of the document.
3. The signature and printed name and address of each person for whom a notarial act was performed.
4. A description of the form of identification provided (driver’s license, photo identification, etc.) or a statement that the person is “personally known” to the notary public.
5. The location where the notarization was performed.
6. The amount of the fee charged, if any.
7. Personal notes that may be useful.

For Remote Online Notarizations - Oklahoma requires notaries performing remote online notarizations to record the information below:

1. The date and time of the remote online notarial act.
2. A description of the document, if any, and type of notarial act.
3. The full name and address of each principal for whom the notarial act is performed.
4. If the identity of the principal is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
5. If the identity of the principal is based on credential analysis and identity proofing, a brief description of the results of the identity verification process and the identification credential remotely presented, including the date of issuance and expiration of the identification credential.
6. If the identity of the principal is based on the oath or affirmation of a credible witness, the method that provided a basis for the notary public's identification of the credible witness, a statement of the basis on which the credible witness claims personal knowledge of the principal, the location of the credible witness, and the full name and address of the credible witness.
7. The fee, if any, charged by the notary public.

What steps should I take if my Oklahoma notary journal is lost or stolen?

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Tangible Notary Journal - Since tangible notary journals are optional, Oklahoma notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Electronic Notary Journal - Immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and the secretary of state upon actual knowledge of the theft or vandalism of your electronic notary journal. Upon knowledge of the loss of your electronic notary journal or if it’s used by another person, immediately notify the secretary of state.

How long should I retain my Oklahoma notary journal?

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Tangible Notary Journal - Oklahoma notary laws do not address this question, since tangible notary journals are optional. We recommend you keep the tangible notary journal indefinitely.

Electronic Notary Journal - The electronic notary journal must be retained for at least ten years after the performance of the last remote online notarial act chronicled in the journal.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Oklahoma?

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Oklahoma notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Oklahoma.

What notarial acts can an Oklahoma notary public perform?

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For Traditional Notarizations - An Oklahoma notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts [49 O.S. § 112(1)]:

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Take verifications upon oath or affirmation
• Witness or attest signatures
• Note protests of negotiable instruments
• Certify or attest copies

For Remote Online Notarizations - An Oklahoma remote online notary may perform the following remote online notarial acts:

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Take verifications upon oath or affirmation
• Witness or attest signatures
• Note protests of negotiable instruments
• Certify or attest copies

What type of notarizations are allowed in Oklahoma?

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Oklahoma law allows the following two types of notarizations:

Traditional Notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. A traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary seal impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

In-Person Electronic Notarizations – The state of Oklahoma has not yet adopted statutes or regulations that establish rules, guidelines, standards, and procedures for notarizations on electronic documents. Nevertheless, the Oklahoma Legislature enacted the “Uniform Electronic Transactions Act” (OS 12A:15-101 through 12A:15-120) that includes the provisions on notarization and acknowledgment, which permits a notary public to obtain an electronic or digital signature and electronic seal to notarize electronic records in the physical presence of the individual seeking the notarization.

Remote Online Notarizations – The signer appears remotely before a notarial officer via communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become a remote online notary in Oklahoma?

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To become a remote online notary in Oklahoma, follow the steps listed below:

1. Apply to become an Oklahoma notary public (if you do not already hold an active notary commission). Note: The $1,000 notary bond must be on file with the secretary of state to register as a remote online notary.
2. Contract with a vendor that will supply you with the technology needed to perform remote online notarial acts.
3. Register to perform remote online notarization by filing a Remote Online Notarization application on the secretary of state’s website and pay a $25 filing fee. Click here to download instructions provided by the secretary of state for filing a remote online notarization application.

Once your registration is approved, you will receive a written authorization from the secretary of state to perform remote online notarizations.

For more information on remote online notarizations, visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website.

How do I update my address on my Oklahoma notary commission?

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If a notary’s resident address changes, the notary must inform the secretary of state in writing within thirty days of the change. The notary is not required to file a new bond or obtain another notary seal if the notary moves from one county to another [49 O.S. § 11(A)]. Notaries can update their address through the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Oklahoma?

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If a notary’s name has legally changed in the middle of a term, the notary has two options [49 O.S. § 11(B)]:

1. The notary may continue to use the former name as issued on the existing commission until it expires.
2. The notary may use the notary’s new name by submitting a letter of resignation to the secretary of state together with a completed notary application for a new commission and a $25.00 filing fee. This name change will establish a new commission number and expiration date.  It will be necessary for the notary to purchase a new seal and file a new surety bond.

Revised:

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February 2024