For Notaries · Oklahoma
How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma
To become a notary in Oklahoma, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, an Oklahoma resident (or a non-resident employed in the state), able to read and write English, with no felony conviction. Apply through the Secretary of State, pass an OSBI background check, pay the $50 fee, and file a $10,000 bond. Commissions last four years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Oklahoma. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Oklahoma or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Oklahoma commissions its notaries through the Secretary of State, and the process is refreshingly straightforward: there is no proctored exam and no mandatory training course. What changed recently is the surety bond. Senate Bill 1028 raised it from $1,000 to $10,000 as of January 1, 2026, and now requires every new and renewing applicant to pass a national criminal-history background check and fingerprinting through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Below is exactly what it takes to get commissioned in Oklahoma, what it costs, and how to add remote online notarization so your commission can actually earn.
Oklahoma Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a legal Oklahoma resident or a non-resident employed within Oklahoma, able to read and write English, with no felony conviction. Under Senate Bill 1028, all new and renewing applicants must also pass an OSBI national criminal-history background check and fingerprinting before the application is processed. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $10,000 surety bond, filed with the Secretary of State within 60 days after your commission is issued. Oklahoma raised the bond from $1,000 under Senate Bill 1028, effective January 1, 2026, and a $25 bond filing fee applies. The bond protects the public and is not insurance for the notary. |
| State filing fee | $50 new-commission filing fee, plus a $25 bond filing fee (renewals are $45). |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | None. Oklahoma does not require a state-approved notary course or training. |
| Exam | None. Oklahoma does not require a notary exam. |
Oklahoma requires notaries to file a $10,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State within 60 days of commission issuance — an amount raised from $1,000 by Senate Bill 1028, effective January 1, 2026. — Oklahoma Secretary of State — Notary Public Guide
How to Become a Notary in Oklahoma: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18, and either a legal Oklahoma resident or a non-resident employed within Oklahoma. You also need to read and write English and have no felony conviction.
- 2
Apply and complete your OSBI background check
File your notary application and $50 filing fee online through the Oklahoma Secretary of State at sos.ok.gov. Under Senate Bill 1028, all new and renewing applicants must also complete a national criminal-history background check and fingerprinting through the OSBI before the application is processed.
- 3
Receive your four-year commission
After your background check clears, the Secretary of State issues your commission (valid four years) and provides a commission number you'll use on your seal and future filings. Plan for roughly 2 to 4 weeks of processing.
- 4
File your $10,000 surety bond and get your seal
Purchase a $10,000 notary surety bond and file it with the Secretary of State within 60 days of your commission date, paying the $25 bond filing fee. Then buy a notary seal (rubber stamp or embosser) that shows your name, 'State of Oklahoma,' and 'Notary Public.'
- 5
Add remote online notary authorization (optional)
To notarize for signers who appear over live audio-video, register for remote online notarization through the Secretary of State's online filing system, name your approved RON technology vendor, and pay the $25 authorization fee. This can only be filed online.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has an operative Remote Online Notary Act, so you can register now. You must first hold a current Oklahoma notary commission, then register to perform remote online notarizations through the Secretary of State's online system, naming the approved RON technology vendor(s) you plan to use. Applications for RON authorization may only be filed online.
Online / remote notary application fee: $25 (state RON authorization filing fee)
RON is active and available to register today. You cannot be an online-only notary in Oklahoma — a current traditional commission is required first.
See how RON is authorized in Oklahoma — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Oklahoma remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Oklahoma instead? Notarize online with a Oklahoma commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Oklahoma commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Oklahoma? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Oklahoma?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| New commission filing fee (state) | $50 |
| $10,000 surety bond premium | Varies by bonding company |
| Bond filing fee (state) | $25 |
| OSBI background check & fingerprinting | Varies (paid separately) |
| Notary seal/stamp & record journal | Varies by supplier |
| Remote online notary authorization (optional) | $25 |
See what USA Notary costs a Oklahoma notary for platform-side details.
What an Oklahoma Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Oklahoma caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $5 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $25 |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Oklahoma compares with every other state in the how Oklahoma fees compare across all 50 states.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Oklahoma
Commission term in Oklahoma
4 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Oklahoma Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Oklahoma notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Oklahoma notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How much is the notary bond in Oklahoma?
$10,000. Oklahoma raised its required surety bond from $1,000 to $10,000 under Senate Bill 1028, effective January 1, 2026. You must file the bond with the Secretary of State within 60 days after your commission is issued, along with a $25 bond filing fee.
How long does an Oklahoma notary commission last?
Four years from the date of issuance. To keep notarizing, file a renewal (a $45 fee) before your commission expires. An application filed after your commission has expired is processed as a brand-new commission.
Does Oklahoma require a notary exam or training course?
No. Oklahoma does not require a proctored exam or a state-approved education course to become a notary. New and renewing applicants must, however, pass an OSBI national criminal-history background check and fingerprinting under Senate Bill 1028.
Can an out-of-state resident become an Oklahoma notary?
Yes. Non-residents who are employed within Oklahoma may be commissioned. On your application you list your Oklahoma county of employment instead of a county of residence, and your bond and seal work the same way.
Does Oklahoma allow remote online notarization?
Yes. Oklahoma has an operative Remote Online Notary Act and you can register now. You must first hold a current Oklahoma commission, then file a remote online notarization application online with the Secretary of State, name your approved technology vendor, and pay the $25 authorization fee.
How much can an Oklahoma notary charge per notarization?
State law caps the fee at $5.00 per notarial act for traditional, in-person notarizations. Remote online notaries commonly earn more per signing, and platforms like USA Notary assign paid remote work once you're commissioned and RON-authorized.
When does a Oklahoma notary commission expire?
The Oklahoma commission term is: 4 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Oklahoma cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a Oklahoma loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby West South Central guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Oklahoma Secretary of State — Notary Public
- Oklahoma SOS — Notary Public Guide (PDF)
- Oklahoma SOS — Notary Filing & Fee Schedule
- Oklahoma Statutes, Title 49 — Notaries Public & Remote Online Notary Act
This guide summarizes public requirements from Oklahoma's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.