How to Renew Your Notary Commission in Oklahoma

Oklahoma notaries are commissioned for a four-year term by the Oklahoma Secretary of State and are authorized to perform official notarial acts throughout the state. When your Oklahoma notary commission approaches its expiration date, you must complete the required renewal process to continue performing notarizations without interruption.

This article explains, step by step, the process required to renew your notary commission in Oklahoma.

How Soon Can I Renew My Oklahoma Notary Commission?

To avoid the hassle of a lapsed notary commission, you can begin the renewal application up to six weeks before your current commission expires. Don’t delay. If your notary commission lapses, you may experience a period of time during which you cannot perform notarizations.

If your renewal application is received after the expiration of your commission, it will be processed as an application for a new commission, and a new commission number will be issued.

How Do I Renew My Notary Commission in Oklahoma?

To renew your notary commission in Oklahoma, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Complete a renewal notary application.

A renewal application may be submitted online, by mail, or in person; however, completing the application online is the easiest option. You may complete the renewal application on the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website. The application cannot be submitted more than six weeks prior to the expiration of your Oklahoma notary commission.

2. Pay the $45 state filing fee.

The fee to file your renewal application with the state is $45 and may be paid online. If your application is received after your commission expires, the filing fee increases to $50 and a new commission number will be issued.

3. Obtain a criminal history record check.

After you submit your notary application, the Oklahoma Secretary of State will email you detailed instructions on how and where to complete the criminal history record check, along with the exact cost. This background check cannot be completed until after your notary application has been submitted to the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

4. Purchase a four-year, $10,000 Oklahoma notary bond.

This bond is required by law for all new and renewing Oklahoma notary applicants. An Oklahoma notary bond protects the public if a notary is negligent in performing notarial duties and causes damages to another party. The bond does not provide protection for the notary.

If a claim is paid on your behalf, the bonding company may require reimbursement. To help protect yourself, you may obtain an Oklahoma notary bond through the American Association of Notaries, which includes a free four-year, $10,000 errors and omissions insurance policy.

Click here to order an Oklahoma notary bond.

5. Order a new notary stamp or seal.

Once you submit your renewal notary applicatin and receive your renewal notary commission certificate, you must obtain a new notary stamp or seal. Oklahoma law requires each notary seal to contain the words “State of Oklahoma,” the words “Notary Public,” and the notary’s name.

The notary’s commission number and commission expiration date may be included on a rubber stamp and/or an embosser seal. Oklahoma notary law does not specify the ink color, shape, or dimensions of a notary seal.

Click here to order a notary stamp or seal.

6. Upload all required notary documents to the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website.

After your renewal application is approved, you must upload the following documents: your $10,000 Oklahoma notary bond, your oath of office, your loyalty oath, and an impression of your new notary stamp. A $25 bond filing fee must be paid to the Oklahoma Secretary of State when submitting these documents.

Save Time When Renewing Your Oklahoma Notary Commission

When renewing your Oklahoma notary commission, consider purchasing a complete renewal package from a one-stop provider such as the American Association of Notaries. AAN’s renewal package includes:

• A four-year, $10,000 Oklahoma notary bond

• A four-year, $10,000 errors and omissions insurance policy

• A self-inking rectangular notary stamp

• A notary journal 

If you need to renew your Oklahoma notary commission, the American Association of Notaries can help. AAN has been assisting notaries since 1994 and manufactures notary supplies in-house, offering savings of more than 40% compared to similar notary supplies found elsewhere. 

Click here to learn more about how to renew your notary commission.