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How to become a notary public in Texas. Commission term: 4 years. Verified 2026-04-02. Data verified 2026-04-02. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Notary Public
Governing Authority
Texas Secretary of State (Office of the Texas Secretary of State)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
67% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
Yes
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
70%
$10,000.00
Bond Required
surety bond
You must be a legal resident of Texas (or maintain a place of business there), be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write English. You cannot have a disqualifying criminal record.
All applicants (new and renewing) must complete a Notary Education Requirement through the SOS Notary Portal, per SB693. Rules are being updated in the Texas Administrative Code. Online courses are accepted.
Effective January 1, 2026, all new and renewing notaries must complete mandatory education on the SOS website and pass with a score of 70% or higher. Passing score: 70%. Administered by: Texas Secretary of State (via SOS Notary Portal).
Submit your application to the Texas Secretary of State (Office of the Texas Secretary of State). Application fee: $21 ($10 commission + $10 bond filing + $1 archive fee).
Obtain a $10,000.00 surety bond. $10,000 surety bond posted with the Secretary of State. Bond cost: $40-$70.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Texas requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $81-$150+.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 4 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Texas. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a Texas resident.
Citizenship
No citizenship requirement listed; only residency, age, and criminal history are stated eligibility criteria.
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a notary license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education
RequiredAll applicants (new and renewing) must complete a Notary Education Requirement through the SOS Notary Portal, per SB693. Rules are being updated in the Texas Administrative Code.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredEffective January 1, 2026, all new and renewing notaries must complete mandatory education on the SOS website and pass with a score of 70% or higher.
Passing score: 70%
Administered by: Texas Secretary of State (via SOS Notary Portal)
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Surety Bond
Required$10,000.00
$10,000 surety bond posted with the Secretary of State.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal/stamp required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $21 ($10 commission + $10 bond filing + $1 archive fee) |
Bond Premium Approximate premium for $10,000 bond for 4-year term | $40-$70 |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Education Course New mandatory education effective Jan 1, 2026; training fee amount to be determined | N/A |
Total Estimated Cost Application + bond + seal + education (effective 2026) | $81-$150+ |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Complete mandatory education course through SOS portal (effective Jan 1, 2026)
Obtain $10,000 surety bond from a Texas-licensed bonding company
Submit application with $21 fee through SOS portal
Receive commission
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit new application via SOS Portal, complete education requirement, obtain surety bond.
Renewal Fee
$21 + education fee (effective 2026)
Texas authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Texas RON requirements and register with SOS.
What Makes Texas Unique
Texas implemented mandatory education effective January 1, 2026 (SB 693). State fee of $21 is among the lowest in the country. HB 255 raised the max fee per notarial act from $6 to $10. Record retention is now 10 years (was 5).
SB 693: Mandatory education (up to 2 hours) for new and renewing notaries, effective January 1, 2026.
SB 693: Record retention doubled from 5 years to 10 years for traditional notary records.
HB 255: Maximum traditional notary fee increased from $6 to $10 per signature, with inflation adjustments.
HB 3474 (effective Jan 1, 2025): Clarifies notaries' authority to administer oaths in depositions.
All notary applications must be submitted electronically since January 21, 2025.
New criminal penalties for notaries who fail to verify signer presence.
State fee of $21 is among the lowest in the country.
Notary requirements in nearby states
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See how Texas compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Compare approved notary courses available in Texas. Prices and availability verified 2026.
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Moving to Texas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Texas →
Transfer your Notary license from Texas to: Arkansas → | Louisiana → | New Mexico → | Oklahoma →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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