AnalysisIn Oklahoma, documents filed for record in the office of the county clerk must meet certain document formatting requirements in 19 OS 298. Documents must be legible, in English, use reproducible dark ink, be on paper that is reproducible by copying equipment in use by the county clerk, be no larger than 8.5" x 14", and provide an area free of printed information sufficient in size to accommodate the recorder's stamps, as required by law. HB 1122 clarifies that within the area that is set apart for the clerk's documentary stamps, any stray markings will not void the requirements for accepting and filing the document, provided the documentary stamps may be affixed as required. The bill also prohibits a clerk from charging a fee or fine for the stray markings that appear on a document. While the bill should be positively received by parties who "touch" a document that will end up being recorded by the county clerk, Notaries should always be mindful of documents that are destined for the clerk's office -- particularly real property documents -- and ensure that their signatures and seals stay within the margins.
Read House Bill 1122.