OK Notary Oaths, Affirmations, and Affidavits 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What language must an Oklahoma notary use when administering an oral oath?
- The exact statutory wording from Title 49
- Language that clearly requires the affiant to swear or affirm truthfulness (Correct answer)
- The language must be in Latin to be legally binding
- The notary must read the entire document aloud
Correct answer: Language that clearly requires the affiant to swear or affirm truthfulness
While specific wording is not strictly mandated, the oath must clearly require the affiant to commit to telling the truth.
Question 2: Can an Oklahoma notary administer an oath for a verbal deposition?
- No, only court reporters may do this
- Yes, notaries are authorized to administer oaths for depositions (Correct answer)
- Only if the deposition is in a courthouse
- Only with a judge present
Correct answer: Yes, notaries are authorized to administer oaths for depositions
Oklahoma notaries are authorized to administer oaths in connection with depositions and other out-of-court proceedings.
Question 3: What is a 'subscribing witness' in Oklahoma notary practice?
- A notary who signs as a second witness
- A person who witnesses a signer's signature and then swears to that fact before a notary (Correct answer)
- An attorney who reviews the affidavit
- A person who notarizes on behalf of an absent party
Correct answer: A person who witnesses a signer's signature and then swears to that fact before a notary
A subscribing witness observes a principal sign a document and then swears before a notary that they witnessed the signature.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'jurat' on an Oklahoma notarized document?
- A statement that the signer's identity was verified by ID
- A certificate stating the signer swore to the contents and signed before the notary (Correct answer)
- A certification that a copy is identical to the original
- A statement that the notary observed the signer's free act
Correct answer: A certificate stating the signer swore to the contents and signed before the notary
A jurat certifies that the signer appeared before the notary, was sworn or affirmed, and signed the document in the notary's presence.
Question 5: An Oklahoma notary administers an affirmation instead of an oath at the signer's request. Is this legally valid?
- No, oaths are legally required for affidavits
- Yes, affirmations carry the same legal weight as oaths (Correct answer)
- Only if the signer is a minister or religious leader
- Only in civil — not criminal — matters
Correct answer: Yes, affirmations carry the same legal weight as oaths
An affirmation is legally equivalent to an oath in Oklahoma and is fully valid when the signer has a conscientious objection to swearing.
Question 6: What information must appear in a jurat certificate completed by an Oklahoma notary?
- The signer's date of birth and address
- The notary's signature, seal, and the date and location of notarization (Correct answer)
- The document's title and the names of all parties
- The surety bond number and the bonding company's name
Correct answer: The notary's signature, seal, and the date and location of notarization
A jurat certificate must include the notary's signature, official seal, the date, and the state and county where the notarization took place.
OK Notary Oaths, Affirmations, and Affidavits 2
What language must an Oklahoma notary use when administering an oral oath?