How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma (2026)

Published February 7, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

No exam or training required
$10,000 surety bond required (raised from $1,000 by SB 1028, effective January 2026)
Application fee: $25 | Commission term: 4 years
Notary stamp required
Maximum fee: $5 per notarial act, $25 for RON
Background check required for new and renewing applicants (SB 1028)
Must be 18+, an OK resident, and have no felony convictions

Oklahoma requires a $10,000 surety bond (raised from $1,000 by Senate Bill 1028, effective January 1, 2026) but no exam or training. The same bill added a background check requirement for all applicants. Here is how the process works.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of Oklahoma
Have no felony convictions (unless pardoned)

Disqualifying Factors

Felony convictions (unless pardoned) and prior commission revocations can disqualify you. SB 1028 requires a national criminal history background check through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for all new and renewing applicants.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete the Background Check

Submit to a national criminal history background check through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). This is a new requirement under SB 1028 and applies to both new and renewing applicants. The cost is $20-$40.

Step 2: Purchase Your $10,000 Surety Bond

Oklahoma requires a $10,000 surety bond for a 4-year term. The bond amount was raised from $1,000 by Senate Bill 1028. The premium typically costs $35-$55 for the full term. You pay only the premium, not the $10,000.

Step 3: Purchase Your Notary Stamp

Oklahoma requires a notary seal that includes your name, “Notary Public,” “State of Oklahoma,” and your commission expiration date. Stamps cost $15-$25.

Step 4: Complete the Application

Apply online or by mail through the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Submit your bond, background check results, and stamp impression. Pay the $25 filing fee.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Application + bond filing fee	$25
Background check (OSBI)	$20-$40
$10,000 surety bond premium	$35-$55
Notary stamp (required)	$15-$25
Notary journal (recommended)	$10-$50
Total	$105-$195

Maximum Allowable Fees

Oklahoma sets a maximum of $5 per notarial act (acknowledgments, jurats, and verbal oaths). Remote online notarizations are capped at $25.

Authorized Notarial Acts

Take acknowledgments
Administer oaths and affirmations
Take verifications on oath or affirmation
Witness signatures
Certify copies of documents
Protest negotiable instruments

Notary Stamp Requirements

Oklahoma requires a notary stamp or seal. It must include your name as it appears on your commission, “Notary Public,” “State of Oklahoma,” and your commission expiration date. You must use your stamp on every notarial certificate.

Notarizing for Family Members

Oklahoma does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. Avoid notarizing documents where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. Use caution with spouse notarizations on shared financial documents.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Not required, but recommended. E&O insurance protects you personally from lawsuits related to notary errors. The $10,000 surety bond protects the public, not you. Policies typically run $30-$100 per year for $25,000-$100,000 in coverage.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct

Notarizing without authority: criminal penalty
Fraud or forgery: felony charges
Commission revocation: the Secretary of State can revoke your commission at any time for cause
Civil liability: your $10,000 bond covers public claims; you are personally liable beyond that

Employer Obligations

Your notary commission is personal and does not belong to your employer
If you leave your job, your stamp and commission go with you
Your employer cannot require you to skip proper notarization procedures
An employer who pressures you into misconduct may share legal liability

Renewal

Oklahoma notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application: new bond, new background check, and new filing fee. You can renew starting 60 days before your commission expires.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Oklahoma allows remote online notarization. Active notaries can register to perform RON through the Secretary of State. You must use an approved RON technology provider. The maximum fee for RON is $25 per act.

Becoming a Signing Agent

After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. Oklahoma is not an attorney state for real estate closings, so signing agents can handle loan document signings without attorney involvement. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the top markets in the state.

How Oklahoma Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Oklahoma	Texas	Arkansas	Kansas	Missouri
Bond	$10,000	None	$7,500	$12,000	$10,000
Exam	No	No	Yes	No	No
Training	No	No	No	No	No
Term	4 years	4 years	10 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$5	$10	$5	$5	$5
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Oklahoma’s bond was raised to $10,000 in 2026, matching Missouri in the region. Texas requires no bond at all. Arkansas requires an exam but offers a 10-year term. Kansas has the highest bond requirement among neighbors at $12,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a notary exam in Oklahoma?

No. Oklahoma does not require a notary exam or training course.

Do I need a surety bond in Oklahoma?

Yes. Oklahoma requires a $10,000 surety bond for the 4-year term (raised from $1,000 by SB 1028, effective January 2026).

How long does an Oklahoma notary commission last?

4 years. Renew through the Secretary of State with a new bond and background check.

Is a notary stamp required in Oklahoma?

Yes. All Oklahoma notaries must have an official seal with their name, “Notary Public,” “State of Oklahoma,” and commission expiration date.

How much can an Oklahoma notary charge?

Oklahoma sets a maximum of $5 per notarial act and $25 for remote online notarizations.

Can Oklahoma notaries perform remote online notarizations?

Yes. Register with the Secretary of State to perform RON using an approved technology provider.

How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Requirements

Disqualifying Factors