How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma (2026 Guide)
Already a notary? Our self-paced online courses help you expand your services and grow your income. Browse courses →
Key Takeaways
- No exam or training required
- $10,000 surety bond required (raised from $1,000 by SB 1028, effective January 2026)
- Application fee: $50 (raised from $25 by SB 1028, effective January 2026) | 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
Every new and renewing applicant clears a national criminal history record check with fingerprinting under SB 1028. The sequence matters: you submit your application first, the Secretary of State emails the fingerprinting instructions, and the application is held until the check clears. Budget around $50; processing runs two to four weeks.
Step 2: Purchase Your $10,000 Surety Bond
Oklahoma requires a $10,000 surety bond, raised from $1,000 by Senate Bill 1028. You buy the bond after the commission is issued, with the term running from the issue date to the commission expiration. The premium typically costs $35-$55; you pay the premium, not the $10,000. Then you file the bond, your oath of office, a loyalty oath, your official signature, and a seal impression with the Secretary of State within 60 days of the commission date, and you may not perform any notarial act until the filing is approved.
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 $50 application fee and the $25 bond filing fee (both raised by SB 1028). One caution: the SOS online-filing page still displays the older $25/$20/$10 schedule, while the application instructions, the notary guide, and the FAQ all carry the $50/$45/$25 amounts; confirm the current figures the day you file.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application ($50) + bond filing ($25) | $75 |
| Background check (OSBI, fingerprints) | ~$50 |
| $10,000 surety bond premium | $35-$55 |
| Notary stamp (required) | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $185-$255 |
How Much You Can Charge
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. Notary-specialty policies run roughly $19 a year for $25,000 of coverage to about $75 for $100,000.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
Notarizing without authority carries criminal penalties, and fraud or forgery tied to a notarial act is a felony. The Secretary of State can revoke a commission at any time for cause. The $10,000 bond pays public claims; damages beyond it come out of your pocket.
Your Commission Belongs to You
Your commission is personal: it does not belong to your employer, and your stamp and commission go with you when you change jobs. No employer can require you to skip proper notarization procedure, and one who pressures you into misconduct can share the liability.
Renewal
Oklahoma notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application: new bond, new background check, and a $45 renewal fee. You can file no earlier than 6 weeks before your commission expires; an expired commission cannot be renewed, only re-applied for as a new appointment.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Oklahoma has allowed remote online notarization since January 1, 2020 (SB 915 of 2019). Active notaries register online with the Secretary of State for a $25 application fee; there is no additional bond. The authorization runs only to the end of your current commission term and does not renew with it, so you reapply each four-year term. RON requires multi-factor identity verification, an electronic journal, and 10-year retention of both journals and audio-video recordings. The maximum fee for a remote act is $25.
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 | 2 hrs (from 2026) | Yes | No | No |
| Term | 4 years | 4 years | 10 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $5 | $10 | No cap | No cap | $5 |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Oklahoma’s bond was raised to $10,000 in 2026, matching Missouri in the region. Texas still requires no bond and no exam, though a short state education requirement now applies to applications submitted from January 2026. Arkansas pairs a required course and SOS-hosted exam with a 10-year term, and both Arkansas and Kansas leave the fee uncapped rather than setting a dollar maximum. Kansas carries the region’s highest bond at $12,000. Full guides: Texas, Arkansas.
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.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Oklahoma Secretary of State and 49 O.S. Section 1.
