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Notary Requirements for Oklahoma: 2025 Updated

by Ben Camerota
Turner Falls in Oklahoma

This guide outlines official requirements for becoming, maintaining, and renewing an Oklahoma notary public commission, based on Oklahoma Secretary of State (SOS) information and state law as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, application, bond, seal, oath, term, renewal, Remote Online Notarization (RON), and FAQs.

Eligibility Requirements

To become an Oklahoma notary public, you must meet these qualifications:

  • Age and Citizenship: At least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.

  • Residency or Employment: Oklahoma legal resident OR an out-of-state resident employed within Oklahoma.

  • English Literacy: Able to read and write English.

  • No Felony Conviction: Must not have been convicted of a felony.

Oklahoma does not mandate specific training or an exam.

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Application Process for New Notary Commission

The Oklahoma SOS administers notary applications.

  1. Complete the Application: Fill out the Oklahoma Application for Notary Public Commission form (from SOS website). Provide personal information, including your exact signing name and address (and employment address if a non-resident). Sign the application with this exact name.

  2. Pay Filing Fee: $25.00. For in-person same-day processing, an additional $25.00 expedite fee applies. Payment by check, money order, or credit card (online).

  3. Submit Application:

    • Online: Via SOS online notary filing system (fastest method).

    • By Mail: To SOS Notary Division, 421 N.W. 13th Street, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103-3701 (approx. 2 weeks processing).

    • In Person: At SOS office in Oklahoma City.

  4. Await Approval & Receive Commission Certificate: SOS reviews for completeness. If approved, your notary commission certificate (stating commission number and expiration date) is mailed to you. Review for accuracy.

    • Important: You cannot notarize yet. Further steps (bond, seal, oath filing) are required.

Surety Bond Requirements

Before performing notarial duties, an Oklahoma notary must obtain and file a surety bond with the SOS.

  • Bond Amount: $1,000.00.

  • Bond Term: Must cover the same 4-year term as your notary commission.

  • Bond Provider: From an authorized insurance/bonding company, or secured by individual sureties (property owners in your county of residence/employment). The SOS provides a blank bond form.

  • Bond Filing Deadline: File bond (with oath, loyalty oath, signature, seal imprint) with SOS within 60 days after commission issuance.

  • Bond Filing Fee: $10.00.

  • Approval: SOS reviews and approves the bond.

  • No Notarizing Before Filing: Performing notarial acts without a filed and approved bond is illegal.

Notary Seal

Every Oklahoma notary must obtain an official notary seal.

  • Format: Metal embosser seal or rubber ink stamp. Must be legible.

  • Required Wording: Your name (as on commission), “State of Oklahoma,” and “Notary Public.”

  • Commission Number & Expiration: Optional on the seal itself, but highly recommended. Oklahoma law requires the notary’s commission number and expiration date to be included in every notarial certificate (written or stamped). Failure to include these is a misdemeanor, though the document remains valid.

  • Source: Purchase at your expense from office supply stores, online vendors, etc. SOS does not provide seals or vendor lists.

  • Seal Impression Filing: Submit an imprint of your new seal to the SOS with your oath and bond.

  • Usage: Affix clearly on all notarial acts.

Notary Journal

  • Not Mandatory (General Acts): Oklahoma law does not require a journal for most notarizations.

  • Highly Recommended by SOS: A journal provides a valuable record if acts are questioned. Recommended entries:

    1. Date and Type of Notarial Act.

    2. Document Description.

    3. Name and Address of Signer (and signer's signature in journal).

    4. Identification Method (ID details, personally known, credible witness).

    5. Location of Notarization.

    6. Fee Charged.

    7. Additional Notes (unusual circumstances).

  • Mandatory for Absentee Ballots: If notarizing absentee ballot affidavits, a log must be kept for at least two years. No fee can be charged for notarizing absentee ballots.

Oath of Office and Recording the Commission

After receiving your commission certificate, you must take an Oath of Office and sign a Loyalty Oath.

  1. Complete Oaths: Sign the official Oath of Office and Loyalty Oath forms (from SOS) before another notary or authorized officer.

  2. Prepare Signature and Seal Impression: Provide your official signature (as on commission) and an impression of your new notary seal on the forms.

  3. File with Secretary of State: Within 60 days of commission issuance, submit to SOS:

    • Notarized Oath of Office form.

    • Signed Loyalty Oath form.

    • $1,000 surety bond.

    • Seal impression.

    • Official signature.

    • $10.00 filing fee.

  4. Approval and Activation: SOS reviews. If approved, your commission is fully activated. You cannot notarize until these filings are approved.

Commission Term and Expiration

  • Term: Four (4) years from commission issuance date (on certificate).

  • County of Commission vs. Jurisdiction: Commissioned for your county of residence/employment, but authority is statewide. Indicate county of notarization on each certificate.

  • Expiration: No notarizing past expiration. No grace period.

  • Renewal: Renew not more than 6 weeks before expiration.

Commission Renewal Process

Similar to new application; reduced fee.

  1. Renewal Window: Not earlier than 6 weeks before current expiration. If renewal is received after expiration, it's treated as a new application ($25 fee, new number).

  2. Complete Application: Use same form, mark "Renewal," provide current commission details.

  3. Qualifications: Must still meet all eligibility criteria.

  4. Filing Methods: Online, mail, or in person.

  5. Renewal Fee: $20.00.

  6. Bond for Renewal: New $1,000 surety bond for the new 4-year term.

  7. Oaths & Seal for Renewal: File new bond, new Oath of Office, Loyalty Oath, and possibly new seal impression within 60 days of renewed commission issuance ($10 filing fee). Commission number usually remains the same if renewed on time.

  8. Continuity: If any gap between old commission expiring and new one activating (post-oath/bond filing), pause notarizing.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Oklahoma

Oklahoma allows RON (effective January 1, 2020).

  • Authorization: Requires separate RON authorization from SOS.

  • Requirements for RON Authorization:

    1. Hold a current, active Oklahoma notary commission with bond filed.

    2. Submit RON Application to SOS (typically online).

    3. Pay $25.00 RON application fee.

  • Technology Providers: Use a RON system meeting Oklahoma standards (secure audio-video, ID verification, etc.). You select the provider.

  • Term of RON Authority: Valid until your current notary commission expires. Reapply for RON authorization with each commission renewal ($25 fee).

  • Additional Bond: No additional bond required for RON; the standard $1,000 notary bond covers these acts.

  • RON Notarial Acts: Follow Oklahoma Remote Online Notary Act. Verify signer ID (credential analysis, KBA, or credible witness). Notarial certificate must state notarization was done remotely.

  • Technology and Record-Keeping: Use compliant audio/visual platform. Retain audio-video recording of each RON session (and possibly electronic journal).

  • Fees for RON: Up to $25.00 per remote online notarial act.

Official Resources

  • Oklahoma Secretary of State – Notary Public Information: sos.ok.gov/notary (primary resource for forms, FAQs, online filings).

  • Notary Public Guide (Oklahoma SOS): PDF guide summarizing laws and duties.

  • Oklahoma Statutes, Title 49 – Notaries Public: Governing laws.

  • Contact – Notary Public Services: Address: 421 N.W. 13th Street, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. Phone: (405) 521-2516. Email: notary@sos.ok.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the qualifications to become a notary in Oklahoma?

A: At least 18, U.S. citizen, OK resident (or employed in OK), able to read/write English, no felony convictions.

Q: Can a non-resident of Oklahoma become a notary public in Oklahoma?

A: Yes, if employed in Oklahoma and meeting other qualifications.

Q: What happens if my commission expires before I renew?

A: Stop notarizing. Apply as a new commission ($25 fee, new number, new bond/oaths).

Q: After I receive my commission certificate, can I start notarizing right away?

A: No. Must first file your $1,000 bond, Oath of Office, Loyalty Oath, signature, and seal impression with SOS and await approval (within 60 days of commission issuance).

Q: Is a notary public required to have an official seal in Oklahoma?

A: Yes. Must contain name, "State of Oklahoma," "Notary Public." Commission number/expiration recommended on seal (must be on certificate). Submit seal impression to SOS.

Q: How much can I charge for my notary services?

A: Max $5.00 per traditional notarial act. No fee for absentee ballots. Max $25.00 per remote online notarization. Travel fees by separate agreement.

Q: Can I notarize documents anywhere in Oklahoma, or only in my county?

A: Statewide jurisdiction. Indicate actual county of notarization on the certificate.

Q: Can I notarize my own signature or documents for my family members?

A: Cannot notarize own signature or if a party. Law doesn't forbid notarizing for relatives, but avoid if you have a direct beneficial interest or to prevent appearance of bias.

Q: What should I do if I change my name after being commissioned?

A: Either continue notarizing under commissioned name until term ends OR resign and reapply for a new commission under the new name (new fee, bond, seal).

Q: What should I do if I change my address?

A: Notify SOS in writing within 30 days. No fee or new bond/seal for address change within OK. If moving out of OK (and not employed in OK), resign commission.

Q: What if I need to resign my notary commission, or what happens if a notary dies?

A:

  • Resign: Send signed notice to SOS. Destroy seal.
  • Death: Personal representative should notify SOS and destroy seal.

Q: My notary seal or stamp was lost or stolen – what should I do?

A: Immediately notify SOS in writing. File police report if theft suspected. Obtain new seal (preferably with a distinguishing mark) and inform SOS.

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions or issues about my notary commission?

A: Oklahoma Secretary of State, Notary Public Services: (405) 521-2516 or notary@sos.ok.gov.

Always rely on official Oklahoma SOS resources for the most current information.

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