To enjoy the many benefits of serving as a notary public in Oklahoma, you must ensure that your commission remains valid. State laws dictate that you must renew your commission in the state every four years. You cannot legally perform your notary public duties on an expired commission. It is important to note that Oklahoma offers no grace period for notary commission renewals.
While it isn’t automatic, state officials have gone out of their way to make the renewal process as easy as possible. However, you must begin this process well in advance of expiration.
If you fail to renew your commission at least six weeks before your current commission expires, you will need to re-register as a new notary. The first step in the renewal process is ensuring that you are still in full compliance with state requirements for eligibility.
To be a notary in Oklahoma, you must be 18 years old or older and a citizen/permanent legal resident of the United States who is able to both read and speak English.
You must also have a primary residence in Oklahoma or be employed in the state as a nonresident. No Oklahoma notary can have a criminal record that includes a felony or misdemeanor conviction involving fraud, deceit or dishonesty.
Submit a notary renewal application form at least six weeks before your current notary commission expiration date. You must also submit a state fee of $20 to cover filing costs. Fortunately, Oklahoma has an online renewal option that makes the process extremely easy. You can complete the entire application process online on the Notary Filing page of the official Oklahoma Secretary of State website.
To perform their duties, notaries in Oklahoma must hold a valid surety bond for $1,000. Because these bonds are issued for a term that ends on the commission's expiration date, you must acquire a new surety bond when you renew that commission.
Take your surety bond form and notary stamp to another commissioned Oklahoma notary. Under this notary’s administration, you must take an oath of loyalty and office. The notary must also supervise and authenticate your official signature and seal impression.
Send your authenticated surety bond form to the Oklahoma Secretary of State along with a $10 filing fee. When this form is filed, you can begin working as a notary public in Oklahoma.
While the notary commission renewal process can be quite time-consuming and complex, securing a supplies package from Notaries.com can make it far easier. This extremely helpful package includes your state-required $1,000 notary bond, a record-keeping journal, a customized self-inking notary stamp and a frameable notary certificate.
Upon completing the notary commission renewal process, Notaries.com will send your commission package directly to you. Sign up for this convenient package today.
If you don’t get your notary renewal application to the Oklahoma Secretary of State at least six weeks before your current commission expires, you will have to begin the process of obtaining a new commission with a filing fee of $25 rather than $20.
Beyond your notary stamp and surety bond, you are required to acquire and maintain a record-keeping journal to operate as a notary in Oklahoma.
