Newspapers usually provide a proof of publication after a legal notice has been published. This allows the government and other bodies to verify that the notice was published and to have proof of that publication.

Paginated Proofs of Publication:

Creating proofs of publication completely within a pagination program can save a large amount of time and work normally spent cutting and pasting clippings from the newspaper. Instead of gluing a clipping to the proof, you copy and paste the text into the same space on your Quark, Pagemaker or InDesign document. The text and style of the notice, including type fonts, sizes, and alignments, must be exactly as it appeared in the newspaper. If a publication is two or more columns wide it would be most appropriate to glue or paste a clipping to the assigned box or to an attached sheet of paper. The text of the affidavit should then be updated with the accurate location.

Fully paginated proofs of publication are accepted by the government and other entities. It is not as authentic, however, as using a clipping of the actual printed material. If a proof of publication is contested, the actual clipping would be required. The completeness of your newspaper’s file storage of previous issues should determine if you proceed with fully paginated proofs.

Questions About Notaries:

Contact the Notary Department, Secretary of State of Oklahoma, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 101, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4897 or phone (405) 521-2516 or visit the Web site at www.sos.state.ok.us.