Notary Public Underwriters Blog
What Oklahoma's House Bill 3244 Means for Every Notary in the Sooner State
- Details
- Published: August 10, 2026
Oklahoma notaries… did you know that the Sooner State’s legislators recognize the power of official notarial ink-stamps and embossing seals, and have made it a crime to “willfully and with fraudulent intent” obtain or possess one?
Oklahoma’s recently-enacted House Bill 3244 made a sweeping change to current, anti-fraud statutes by broadening its applicability, creating specific punishments and protections to combat exploitation of vulnerable persons, and greatly expanding the scope of information that triggers punishment if the information is obtained or possessed “willfully and with fraudulent intent.” House Bill 3244 takes effect on November 1, 2026.
Among the specific items listed as unlawful for a person to obtain or possess willfully and with fraudulent intent is a notary stamp. Being guilty of possessing a notary stamp willfully and with the intent to defraud anyone is now classified—thanks to House Bill 3244—as identity theft.
Notaries, don’t let your sensitive notary tools facilitate the crimes of crooks and scammers. Always store your notary stamp and embossing seal securely, in a way or place that only you can access. Never “loan” your notary stamp or embossing seal to anyone, no matter your relationship to them or how much you trust them. You’d be violating notary law by letting anyone else use your notary stamp or seal for any reason.
While we’re talking about sensitive notary tools, remember that your notary record book—also called a journal—is just as sensitive and private as your stamp and embossing seal. Apply the same level of privacy and security to that indispensable notary tool, as well.
Notary Public Underwriters applauds the State of Oklahoma for enhancing the public’s awareness of the importance of notarial acts and official notary stamps and seals, by enacting House Bill 3244.
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