Oxidase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution is important for the production of enantiopure 2‐hydroxycarboxylic acids (2‐HAs), which are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of many significant compounds. However, in contrast to that of (R)‐2‐HAs, the production of (S)‐2‐HA is challenging because of the lack of related oxidases. Herein, suitable enzymes were screened systematically through the analysis of numerous putative d‐lactate oxidase sequences and identification of several required properties. Finally, a d‐lactate oxidase from Gluconobacter oxydans 621H with advantageous characteristics, such as good solubility, broad substrate spectrum, and high stereoselectivity, was selected to resolve 2‐HAs into (S)‐2‐HAs. A variety of (S)‐2‐HAs was produced successfully using this d‐lactate oxidase with excellent enantiomeric excess values (>99 %). The presented screening criteria and approach for target biocatalysis suggested a guideline for the production of optically active chemicals such as (S)‐2‐HAs.