How to become a notary in Texas
Eligibility, a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Texas Secretary of State (Notary Public Unit).
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Texas resident only; no non-resident commission; No final conviction for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; applicants with convictions must upload the court order/sentencing papers and a written statement about each conviction.
- Take the required notary course — Mandatory since SB 693 (2025; SOS rules effective Jan 1, 2026) for new applicants AND every renewal: SOS's own online course in the SOS Notary Portal (4 videos, statute caps it at 2 hours), must be finished within 90 days of paying the non-refundable course fee of $20 per attempt; online (RON) notaries take a separate online-notary course.
- Pass the notary exam — Short online assessment at the end of the SOS education course (30-minute time limit); a failed or expired attempt means paying the course fee again. No proctored exam or outside vendor.
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond — $10,000 surety bond for the 4-year term from a Texas-licensed surety company; the surety completes Form 2301-B (Proof of Bond), which you upload with the application. State-employee notaries are exempt from the bond.
- Complete the background check — SOS runs a background check on every applicant (no fingerprints).
- Apply to the Texas Secretary of State (Notary Public Unit) — Pay the $21 state fee. Other fees: Education course fee (non-refundable, per attempt) $20; card convenience fee on portal payments; online notary commission $50 + 2.7% convenience fee; name change $20; state-employee notary application $11.
- Take the oath and file it — When approved, download the commission certificate from the SOS Notary Portal (one-time download) and sign the oath on it in front of another notary or authorized official; a notary may not notarize their own commission. No county filing.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: inked stamp or embosser with "Notary Public, State of Texas" around a five-point star, notary's name, notary ID number and commission expiration date; serrated or milled border; circle up to 2 in. or rectangle up to 1 x 2.5 in. Journal: Required (record book for every notarization, even unpaid ones; never record ID numbers; keep for the longer of the commission term or 3 years; online notaries keep electronic records and A/V recordings 5 years).
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Texas's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Texas notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Texas Secretary of State (Notary Public Unit) |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Texas resident only; no non-resident commission |
| Course | Required Mandatory since SB 693 (2025; SOS rules effective Jan 1, 2026) for new applicants AND every renewal: SOS's own online course in the SOS Notary Portal (4 videos, statute caps it at 2 hours), must be finished within 90 days of paying the non-refundable course fee of $20 per attempt; online (RON) notaries take a separate online-notary course verify |
| Exam | Required Short online assessment at the end of the SOS education course (30-minute time limit); a failed or expired attempt means paying the course fee again. No proctored exam or outside vendor |
| State fee | $21 |
| Other fees | Education course fee (non-refundable, per attempt) $20; card convenience fee on portal payments; online notary commission $50 + 2.7% convenience fee; name change $20; state-employee notary application $11 verify |
| Surety bond | $10,000 $10,000 surety bond for the 4-year term from a Texas-licensed surety company; the surety completes Form 2301-B (Proof of Bond), which you upload with the application. State-employee notaries are exempt from the bond |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | SOS runs a background check on every applicant (no fingerprints) |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | When approved, download the commission certificate from the SOS Notary Portal (one-time download) and sign the oath on it in front of another notary or authorized official; a notary may not notarize their own commission. No county filing |
| Seal | Required: inked stamp or embosser with "Notary Public, State of Texas" around a five-point star, notary's name, notary ID number and commission expiration date; serrated or milled border; circle up to 2 in. or rectangle up to 1 x 2.5 in. |
| Journal | Required (record book for every notarization, even unpaid ones; never record ID numbers; keep for the longer of the commission term or 3 years; online notaries keep electronic records and A/V recordings 5 years) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 for the first signature on an acknowledgment, $1 for each additional; $10 for an oath/affirmation with certificate and other certificates; online notarization adds up to $25 on top |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Separate online notary commission for existing Texas notaries: online-notary education course, X.509 digital certificate and electronic seal from a third-party provider, $50 fee + 2.7% convenience fee; no extra bond; term runs with the traditional commission |
| Renewal | Renew through the SOS Notary Portal; you must pass the SOS continuing-education course again before each renewal; renew the traditional commission before the online one |
Biggest 2026 change: education and an assessment are now required in Texas (SB 693, effective Sept 1, 2025, with SOS rules from Jan 1, 2026), so guides saying training is optional are out of date. The maximum fees on the SOS page are now $10 for the first signature (formerly $6). Applications are online only through the SOS Notary Portal (paper only on request), and bonding agencies may submit for you. Texas notaries may not call themselves "notario publico". If an application is denied, the filing fee is refunded
Sources: Texas SOS – Notary Public (eligibility, how to apply) · Texas SOS – Notary Public Educational Information (fees, seal, record book) · Texas SOS – Notary FAQs · Texas SOS – Submit/Renew a Traditional Notary Application guide (rev. 12/16/2025) · Texas SOS – Submit/Renew an Online Notary Application guide. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Texas notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Texas licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Texas insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Texas?
The state fee is $21, plus Education course fee (non-refundable, per attempt) $20; card convenience fee on portal payments; online notary commission $50 + 2.7% convenience fee; name change $20; state-employee notary application $11. Add the premium for the $10,000 bond, the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Texas?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission, plus the time for the course and exam.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Texas?
Texas requires a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Texas?
$10 for the first signature on an acknowledgment, $1 for each additional; $10 for an oath/affirmation with certificate and other certificates; online notarization adds up to $25 on top.
Can I be an online notary in Texas?
Yes. Separate online notary commission for existing Texas notaries: online-notary education course, X.509 digital certificate and electronic seal from a third-party provider, $50 fee + 2.7% convenience fee; no extra bond; term runs with the traditional commission