Frequently Asked Questions

Does the library have a public notary?

We offer notary public services for the benefit of the residents of Oklahoma County. The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of notary service:

What the Library can do for you!

• Library notaries are available during the Library’s hours of operation.
• Notary service may not be available in the thirty (30) minutes prior to the time of closing.
• Notary service may be limited to three documents per person, per visit. Although the notary cannot attest to true copies of passports, drivers’ licenses, etc., the notary will issue a notarized Affidavit of True Copy which places the responsibility on the person making the copy. Please be aware, should you require a true copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate with a raised seal, these official copies must come from the appropriate agency. See attached

• The notary will establish the identity of each signer through personal knowledge or with identification documents. Identification must have both a photo and signature.

General

• In accordance with Oklahoma Notarial Law, notaries will not provide service if the customer, document, or circumstances of the request for notary service raises any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the notary. In this event, the notary may, at their sole discretion, decline to provide notary service.
• Oklahoma law requires that a notary must be able to read and understand the documents to be notarized. Notaries cannot notarize documents written in languages unfamiliar to them.
• Oklahoma law requires that a notary and the customer seeking notarization must be able to communicate directly with each other. Notaries are not permitted to make use of a translator to communicate with a notary service customer.
• Notary service is not available for all documents which require technical or legal knowledge and is beyond the scope of this free service. Some examples of what we do not notarize:
  • Real Estate Transactions (Mortgages, refinance, Deeds)
  • I-9 forms
  • Online forms
  • Living Wills, Living Trusts, Last Will and Testament
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Copies of Birth Certificates
  • Adoptions
  • Medical documents
  • Titles
  • Depositions

    Your Responsibility

• Valid photo identification is required of all signers. Accepted I.D.’s are:
  • State issued ID or Drivers Licenses (current or expired within the last year)
  • US Passport
  • US Military ID’s
  • Tribal ID’s
• You must bring your own witnesses, if needed. The Library will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from customers using the Library. To serve as a witness, the witness must personally know the person whose document is being notarized and must be in possession of valid photo identification.
• You should call the library prior to your visit to be sure a notary is available.
• DO NOT sign your document in advance. All documents must be signed in the presence of the notary.
• Everyone signing the document must personally appear before the notary at the same time.
• You will need to verify for the notary that you understand the purpose of the document and are signing freely and willingly.
• Your documents must have a pre-printed section for the notary to fill out for acknowledgement on the form being notarized. See example provided.
• You may be required to give a verbal oath or acknowledgment to the notary.