Oklahoma Notary Stamp Requirements

What Must Appear on Your Stamp

Under 49 O.S. § 5, every Oklahoma notary must authenticate official acts with a physical seal. Your stamp must include three elements:

• Your exact commissioned name (matching the commission certificate)
• "State of Oklahoma"
• "Notary Public"

Your commission number and expiration date are optional on the physical stamp itself, but you're required to include them on every notarial certificate. Having them engraved on the stamp saves you from hand-writing these details on every document you notarize — a practical time-saver if you're handling volume.

No county name is required on the seal. You do need to note the county where each notarization takes place on the certificate, but that's a per-document notation, not a stamp requirement.

Rubber Stamp vs. Metal Embosser

Oklahoma accepts two types of seals:

Inked rubber stamps are the most common choice. They produce a clear, dark impression that photocopies and scans well. They're also the least expensive option, typically running $15 to $30.

Metal embossers create a raised impression pressed into the paper. They look more formal but can be difficult to read on photocopies — the raised impression doesn't always show up when scanned or faxed. If you go with an embosser, you'll likely need to use an inker alongside it so the impression is visible on reproductions.

For most notaries, a rubber stamp is the simpler and more practical choice. If you notarize documents that will be scanned or submitted electronically — which is most documents in 2026 — a clear inked impression avoids problems downstream.

When to Order Your Stamp

Wait until after the Secretary of State issues your commission certificate. The name on your stamp must match your commissioned name exactly, and if the state requires any adjustment to your legal signing name during the application process, a pre-ordered stamp would be useless.

Once you have your certificate, order the stamp promptly. You need it within the 60-day filing window — specifically, you must stamp a clear impression directly onto your surety bond form before uploading the completed package to the state.

Seal Impression on the Bond

During the final filing step, you physically stamp your notary seal onto the designated spot on the surety bond form. This impression is uploaded to the Secretary of State along with your signed oaths. The state reviews the impression for legibility and compliance, so make sure it's clean and complete — a smudged or partial impression can delay approval.

Replacing or Updating Your Stamp

If you change your name during your commission term, you need a new stamp reflecting the updated name. You'd also file the name change with the Secretary of State and get a rider on your surety bond from your surety company. Your old stamp should be destroyed or defaced to prevent misuse.

For the complete commissioning sequence — including exactly when to order your stamp relative to the bond purchase and oath-taking — the Oklahoma Notary Commission Guide walks through every step in chronological order.

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