Oklahoma Notary Background Check and Fingerprinting
Why the Background Check Exists
Senate Bill 1028 made fingerprint-based national criminal history checks mandatory for every new and renewing Oklahoma notary applicant, effective January 1, 2026. Before this law, Oklahoma didn't require background screening for notaries at all. The change reflects growing concerns about notary fraud, particularly in real estate transactions where falsified seals have been used to execute fraudulent property transfers.
The check is run by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which coordinates with the FBI to pull both state and federal criminal records.
How the Process Works
You don't schedule the background check yourself at the start. The sequence is:
- Submit your notary application through the Secretary of State's online portal and pay the $50 fee
- Wait for the email — the Secretary of State sends instructions with tracking numbers and approved fingerprinting locations
- Schedule your fingerprinting appointment using the details in that email
- Complete electronic fingerprinting (Live Scan) at an OSBI-certified location
- OSBI processes your prints against state and federal databases and transmits results to the Secretary of State within 14 working days
The cost for the background check is up to $50, paid to the fingerprint provider or OSBI as instructed. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
Where to Get Fingerprinted
Fingerprints must be submitted electronically through state-approved satellite systems. IdentoGO (operated by IDEMIA) runs many of the approved locations across Oklahoma, and you may also be able to use authorized local law enforcement agencies.
Major metro areas — Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Lawton — have multiple locations. Rural areas may require some travel. The email from the Secretary of State will include specific location options and service codes for scheduling.
For non-resident applicants (bordering-state residents who work in Oklahoma), coordinating out-of-state fingerprinting requires extra attention. You may need to use an OSBI-approved provider in your state or travel to an Oklahoma location, depending on the specific arrangements available.
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What Disqualifies You
A felony conviction under Oklahoma law, federal law, or any other state's laws is a permanent bar to holding a notary commission — unless you've received a full gubernatorial pardon. This applies to both new applicants and renewals.
Having a prior notary commission revoked for cause, or a disciplinary action for the unauthorized practice of law, also results in denial under 49 O.S. § 12.
If your record includes a misdemeanor or another issue not covered above, check with the Secretary of State before applying; the known disqualifying issues are listed above.
If Your Background Check Is Delayed
Standard processing takes about two to four weeks total from application submission to commission issuance. If more than four weeks pass without hearing anything, contact the Secretary of State's Notary Division. Ask them to verify whether OSBI has transmitted your background check report and whether your 60-day filing window has begun.
The Oklahoma Notary Commission Guide includes a detailed fingerprinting prep checklist and a timeline tracker to keep every phase of the commissioning process on schedule.
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