Oklahoma now requires a journal for every notarial act — mandatory since November 1, 2025. SB 1028 (January 1, 2026) added criminal background checks with applicant fingerprints, raised the bond to $10,000, and updated fees. NotaryAct is state-configured for Oklahoma — all required fields on, applicant vs. signer fingerprint distinction handled correctly, compliance built in.
📋 Two major law changes in 2025–2026: (1) HB 2265 (eff. November 1, 2025) — mandatory journal for all notarial acts · permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages OR secure electronic format. (2) SB 1028 (eff. January 1, 2026) — national criminal history checks with OSBI fingerprints for all applicants · bond raised to $10,000 for new commissions and renewals · application fee raised to $50 · felony convictions now disqualifying.
| ⚖️ Oklahoma Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference (Updated 2025–2026) | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | 49 OS 5 · HB 2265 (eff. Nov 1, 2025) · SB 1028 (eff. Jan 1, 2026) |
| Journal Required? | Yes — every notarial act from November 1, 2025 forward ✓ |
| Permitted Formats | Permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages OR secure electronic format |
| Is Journal a Public Record? | No — private record · Provide copies to law enforcement with proper authority only |
| Fingerprint in Journal | Not required from signers · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct OK configuration Note: OSBI fingerprints required for APPLICANT background check (SB 1028) — not a journal entry requirement |
| New Bond Amount (Jan 1, 2026) | $10,000 for new commissions and renewals on/after Jan 1, 2026 ✓ |
| Background Check (Jan 1, 2026) | National criminal history check via OSBI — fingerprints required for all applicants ✓ |
| RON Electronic Journal | Required for all remote notarial acts · Approved platform required |
| RON Authorization Fee | $25 · Filed online with SOS · No additional bond required |
| Max RON Fee | $25 per remote notarial act |
| Commission Term | 4 years · $50 new / $45 renewal · Statewide authority |
| Max Traditional Fee | Not expressly capped by statute for most acts · $25 max for RON |
Before November 1, 2025, Oklahoma notaries were not required to keep a journal — it was optional. House Bill 2265 changed this fundamentally: from November 1, 2025 forward, every Oklahoma notary must maintain a record book of all notarial acts performed. The journal may be either a permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages or a secure electronic format.
This is a significant transition for long-serving Oklahoma notaries accustomed to working without a journal. NotaryAct’s Oklahoma configuration was built for the post-HB 2265 world — all required fields are enabled and the journal structure meets the permanently bound, numbered-entry standard whether using print or electronic format.
Oklahoma’s fingerprint rules require careful understanding. SB 1028 (effective January 1, 2026) requires fingerprints — but from the notary applicant, not from document signers. The OSBI electronically obtains fingerprints from every applicant (new and renewal) and conducts a national criminal history record check. Results are delivered to the Secretary of State within 14 working days. This is a one-time applicant screening step — not an ongoing journal entry requirement.
Oklahoma law does not require notaries to collect fingerprints from the signers whose documents they notarize. NotaryAct’s Oklahoma configuration makes fingerprint capture available as a voluntary fraud-deterrent option for notaries who choose to use it, clearly labeled as optional and distinct from the OSBI applicant fingerprint requirement.
Under 49 OS 5 and HB 2265, each journal entry must contain the following information recorded at the time of the notarial act:
| 1 | Date and Time of Notarial Act Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct at submission. |
| 2 | Type of Notarial Act Acknowledgment, oath or affirmation, copy certification, signature witnessing, or protest. NotaryAct provides a dropdown for all Oklahoma-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Title or Description of Document The name or type of document being notarized. NotaryAct includes a dedicated document description field. |
| 4 | Name and Address of Each Signer Full name and address of every person for whom the act is performed. NotaryAct’s barcode scanner auto-fills from any Oklahoma driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity Verification Method How identity was established — personal knowledge, ID type and details (including issuing agency, number, and expiration), or credible witness. NotaryAct supports all three scenarios with dedicated fields. |
| + | Signer’s Signature The signer must sign the journal. Electronic signature capture in NotaryAct for every entry. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Oklahoma: All required journal fields enabled per HB 2265. Signer fingerprint capture available as an optional feature, clearly distinct from OSBI applicant background check fingerprints. Electronic journal satisfies the secure electronic format option. Encrypted cloud storage provides permanent, tamper-evident records.
| Oklahoma Requirement | How NotaryAct Covers It | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory journal for every notarial act (from Nov 1, 2025) | All act types covered; entries locked at submission with auto-timestamp | ✔ |
| Permanently bound book OR secure electronic format | Tamper-evident electronic records; print function produces bound-format journal | ✔ |
| All required entry fields including signer signature | Date/time, act type, document description, signer name/address/signature, ID method — all enabled | ✔ |
| Not a public record — private access only | Password/biometric access; notary-only login; records not publicly accessible | ✔ |
| RON mandatory electronic journal and A/V recording | Tamper-evident RON journal; recordings retained per SOS requirements | ✔ |
| Fingerprint in journal — optional (OSBI applicant check is separate) | Optional field via camera or Bluetooth; clearly labeled as voluntary; not connected to OSBI process | ✔ |
Other state guides: Texas · Kansas · Colorado · Missouri · All 50 States →
NotaryAct is state-configured for Oklahoma — all fields required by HB 2265 enabled, electronic journal satisfying the secure format option, fingerprint capture clearly optional (distinct from OSBI applicant fingerprints), and encrypted cloud storage for every entry. Compliant from November 1, 2025 forward.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Oklahoma Statutes Title 49, House Bill 2265 (effective November 1, 2025), and Senate Bill 1028 (effective January 1, 2026) as in effect June 2026. Consult the Oklahoma Secretary of State Notary Public Services at sos.ok.gov/notary or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
