Eligibility:
All applicants must meet all of the requirements listed below:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be a legal resident of Oklahoma
- Not have been convicted of a felony
Qualification:
In order to receive a notary public commission, a person must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements
- Properly complete and submit a notary application form to the Secretary of State with a $25 filing fee. Click here to download the application form-- https://www.sos.ok.gov/notary/default.aspx
- Once approved, purchase a $1,000 notary bond and submit to the Secretary of State with the Loyalty Oath and the Oath of Office a $10 filing fee
Non-Residents:
Non-residents who are employed within Oklahoma may apply.
Bond:
Required. A bond in the amount of $1,000 is required for new and renewing notaries public. Please visit the American Association of Notaries’ website at
www.usnotaries.com
to purchase and receive a bond via email in one business day.
Errors & Omissions Insurance:
Optional. The American Association of Notaries recommends that Oklahoma notaries insure themselves against claims of negligence through Errors and Omission insurance. Visit the American Association of Notaries’ website at
www.usnotaries.com
Filing Fee:
A $25 filing fee is required for new applications and $20 for renewal applications.
Term:
4 years.
Jurisdiction:
Statewide.
Appointment:
Renewal:
A notary may apply six weeks prior to the expiration of his or her current commission by completing a renewal application form and submitting a $20 filing fee.
Education/Testing:
None Required.
Notary Seal:
Required.
Type—embosser or rubber-inked stamp
Ink color--any color as long as the seal can be
reproduced under photographic methods
Shape—circular or rectangular
Required elements --notary public’s name and the words “Notary Public” and “State of Oklahoma.” Every notary must add to the notary’s official signature the commission number of the notary and the commission expiration date. Failure to add the commission number or the date of expiration of the commission shall not affect the instrument’s ability to be recorded or the notice given by such a recording. This date and commission number may be a part of the stamp or seal. If a notary public neglects or refuses to include the commission expiration date, the notary shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined a sum not to exceed $50.00. If the seal is lost or stolen, the notary must notify the Secretary of State within 10 days.
Record Book:
Required pursuant to the Oklahoma Notary Public Rules. However, state law does not require a notary to keep records of his or her official acts.
Notary Fees:
Notary fees are set by state law. A notary public is allowed to charge for each notarial act, but not more than:
- Acknowledgments $5.00
- Oaths or affirmations $5.00
- Jurats $5.00
- Protests $5.00
- Copy certifications $5.00
Note: A notary may not charge for notarizing a signature on an absentee ballot.
Authority:
an Oklahoma notary has the authority to:
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Protest instruments
- Certify or attest to a copy of a document
Address Change:
A notary must submit a written notification to the Secretary of State within 30 days after a change of residence address (or employment address if a non-resident). The notary must also provide the Secretary of State with his or her new address. The notary is not required to file a new bond or obtain another seal if the notary moves from one county to another.
Name Change:
An Oklahoma notary may continue to use his or her former name as issued on the existing commission until it expires. A notary may use the notary’s new name by completing and filing an application with the Secretary of State with a fee of $25. A new commission expiration date will be established. It will be necessary for the notary to purchase a new seal and obtain a new bond for filing with the court clerk.
Death/Resignation/Removal:
A notary who resigns his or her notarial commission shall deliver to the Secretary of State a notice of resignation and the effective date of the resignation. A notary who ceases to reside or work in Oklahoma must resign his or her commission. Within thirty (30) days, the notary must deliver to the county clerk where the bond was filed the record book and official and public papers of his or her office. If a notary dies during the term of commission, the notary’s heirs or personal representative, as soon as reasonably practicable, must deliver a signed notice of the date of death to the Secretary of State. The notary seal must be destroyed upon resignation or death.
Prohibited Acts:
A notary public may not:
- Prepare, draft, select, or give advice concerning legal documents and immigration documents
- Prepare, assist, or give legal advice on any proceeding, filing, or action affecting the immigration or citizenship status of another person
- Perform acts that constitute the practice of law
- Use the phrase “notario” or “notario publico” to advertise notary services
- Hold himself out as an immigration expert
- Overcharge for notary public services
- Notarize his or her own signature
- Sign a notarial certificate under any other name than the one under which the notary was commissioned
Criminal Violation:
A notary convicted of violating subsection B of Section 6 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes regarding providing immigration services shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. Upon receipt of a final judgment against a notary public for violation of subsection B of Section 6 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes from an Oklahoma district court or its equivalent from a foreign jurisdiction, the Secretary of State shall revoke the appointment of the notary for a period of eight years.
Notarial Certificates:
Click here to view your state's notarial certificates.
Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety. American Association of Notaries is owned by Kal Tabbara, a licensed insurance agent.
