2026 state guide · TX

How to become a notary in Texas

By NotaryRequirements.com · Source review July 18, 2026
Official sources & review notes · Report a correction

Texas notaries apply online through the Secretary of State's Notary Portal, pay a $21 filing fee, complete the state's new $20 education course, and post a $10,000 surety bond. The course assessment requires 70% correct answers; commissions last four years.

Texas moved its whole notary process online: you take the state's course, apply, pay, and receive your commission through the Secretary of State's Notary Portal, and even your $10,000 bond is filed with the state instead of a county courthouse. The big recent change is SB 693 — starting with applications filed January 1, 2026, every new and renewing notary must complete a short education course that only the Secretary of State offers ($20, two hours max). The course includes an assessment requiring at least 70% correct answers.

The known state charges total $41, with additional costs: $21 to the state, $20 for the course, a bond premium from any Texas-licensed surety, and a stamp with your name and notary ID number. Texas caps standard notary fees at $10 per act, so the paper-notarization income is modest — the upside is volume work like loan signings and remote online notarization.

Texas was a RON pioneer — it authorized remote online notarization back in 2017, with the program running since 2018. Once you're commissioned, adding online authority costs $50 plus a digital certificate and lets you charge up to $25 extra per online session, which is where many Texas notaries find the better economics.

Who can become a notary in Texas?

• Age: at least 18 years old.
• Residency: You must be a Texas resident. Texas does not offer a non-resident commission, and you must keep Texas residency for the full term.
• Background: The Secretary of State says you qualify only if you have 'not received a final conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony.' The state runs a background check on every applicant. Deferred adjudications and pending charges are reviewed case by case — contact the SOS Notary Public Unit before paying if you have a record.
• You must sign a statement of officer and take the constitutional oath of office as part of the application.

Your application checklist

How long it takes: The Secretary of State does not publish a fixed turnaround. Portal applications are generally processed within a few weeks — check current processing times with the SOS before planning a start date.

What it costs in Texas

Exam and training

Exam: There is no separate proctored examination. The mandatory SOS course includes an assessment: you must answer at least 70% of its questions correctly. The $20 fee applies to a course attempt; confirm retake instructions in the Notary Portal.

Required course: New as of January 1, 2026: SB 693 (2025) requires every new and renewing applicant to complete an education course offered only by the Secretary of State (capped at two hours, $20). Private vendor courses no longer satisfy the requirement. Notaries first commissioned before September 1, 2025 complete it when they renew.

Remote notarization in Texas

Electronic RON available

A commissioned notary must meet the state-specific authorization, technology and recordkeeping rules below.

Texas was one of the first states to authorize remote online notarization (HB 1217, 2017; SOS rules effective 2018 under Government Code Chapter 406, Subchapter C). RON session recordings must be retained per state rules — currently five years per the SOS FAQ.

You must already hold an active Texas traditional commission. Then you file a separate online notary application (Form 2301ON) through the SOS Notary Portal with a $50 fee, complete the SOS online-notary education course ($20), and upload an electronic seal image plus an X.509-compliant digital certificate you buy from a third-party provider. No additional bond is required, and the RON authorization expires with your traditional commission.

Full guide: how to become a remote online notary.

After you're commissioned

Check your seal and recordkeeping requirements. Circular (max 2" diameter) or rectangular (max 1" x 2.5") with a serrated or milled border. It must show a five-pointed star with 'Notary Public, State of Texas', your name as commissioned, your notary ID number (required for commissions issued or renewed after January 1, 2016), and your expiration date. Embosser or indelible-ink stamp both work, but the impression must photocopy legibly. See the new-notary supplies checklist and Texas stamp requirements before you order.

What you can charge: Texas caps notary fees at $10 for an acknowledgment (first signature). Government Code §406.024 caps fees: $10 for the first acknowledgment signature and $1 for each additional, $10 for an oath or affirmation, $1 per page for certified copies, and $10 for most other acts. Online notarizations may add up to $25 on top of the standard fee (§406.111). Charging more than the maximum can cost you your commission.

E&O insurance: Not required. The $10,000 bond protects the public and the surety can recover payouts from you, so many Texas notaries buy optional errors-and-omissions insurance to protect themselves.

Earning more with your commission

Loan signings are one possible service after commissioning — notarizing mortgage document packages for title companies. Availability depends on local demand, hiring requirements and state restrictions. If that interests you, start with what a loan signing agent actually does and earns. Loan signing agent guide

Texas notary FAQ

The source review date covers our earlier research. Recent checks above apply only to the named topics. Requirements and charges can change; confirm the current packet with Texas Secretary of State.