Notary Public
Texas
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
2 hours
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
70%
$10,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedComplete the mandatory Notary Education course through the SOS Notary Portal (max 2 hours)
Pass the Notary Education Assessment at the end of the course (70% minimum score within 30 minutes)
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a Texas-licensed bonding company
Submit the notary public application through the SOS Notary Portal with $21 filing fee
Receive commission approval from the Secretary of State
Take the official oath of office
Purchase a notary seal/stamp and journal
Post a fee schedule (maximum $10 per notarial act)
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a resident of the State of Texas
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship not explicitly required; must be a Texas resident with no disqualifying criminal history
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required2 hours
Mandatory education course completed through the SOS Notary Portal. Senate Bill 693 sets a maximum of 2 hours for education. Effective January 1, 2026, education is mandatory for all new and renewing notaries. Course includes a Notary Education Assessment at the end (must correctly answer 70% of questions within 30 minutes). Notaries commissioned before September 1, 2025 may be exempt from retroactive training.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredNotary Education Assessment administered at the end of the required education course. Must correctly answer 70% of questions within 30 minutes. This is integrated into the education course rather than a separate standalone exam.
Passing score: 70%
Administered by: Texas Secretary of State (via SOS Notary Portal)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$10,000
Must secure a $10,000 surety bond from a solvent surety company authorized to do business in Texas. Bond must be approved by the Secretary of State, payable to the governor, and conditioned on faithful performance of duties. Bond lasts for the 4-year commission term.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required by Texas law but is recommended.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredCircular (no larger than 2" diameter) or rectangular (no larger than 1" x 2.5"). Must include: 'Notary Public, State of Texas' around a five-pointed star, notary's name as it appears on commission, notary ID number, and commission expiration date.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $21 |
Bond Premium Premium cost for 4-year $10,000 surety bond. Purchased from private surety companies. | $50 (typical) |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Training course fee charged through SOS Portal. | $21.71 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes training course (~$22), application fee (~$22), surety bond (~$50), notary seal ($30), journal ($30-$55), fee schedule ($17). | $170-$195 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application through SOS Notary Portal. Effective January 1, 2026, renewing notaries must complete mandatory education course. Must obtain new surety bond.
Renewal Fee
$21
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization has been legal in Texas since 2018. Senate Bill 693 (effective September 1, 2025) introduced major updates including new penalties, education requirements, and record retention rules. Notary must be physically located in Texas; signer can be anywhere in the U.S.
Additional Requirements
Must hold a current traditional TX notary commission. Must obtain an X.509 compliant digital certificate and electronic seal. Must use an SOS-approved RON platform with real-time two-way audio-visual communication and identity proofing via credential analysis (ID scan) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA). Must maintain electronic journal and audio-video recordings for at least 5 years. Can charge up to $25 in addition to standard notary fee per online notarization.
Important Notes
What Makes Texas Unique
Texas is undergoing significant notary law changes in 2025-2026. SB 693 (effective Sept 1, 2025) adds new penalties and record retention rules. Mandatory education (max 2 hours) becomes required for all applicants including renewals effective January 1, 2026. The education assessment is integrated into the course rather than being a separate standalone exam.
Senate Bill 693 (effective Sept 1, 2025) mandates new 10-year record retention period for notarial acts (up from previous requirements).
Effective January 1, 2026, education is mandatory for ALL applicants including renewals.
Maximum fee per notarial act is $10.
Notary journal must be kept secure for full commission term or 3 years post-notarization, whichever is longer.
Journal cannot contain identification numbers or biometrics.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
education
Education requirements are in transition. Before Jan 1, 2026, education may not be required for all applicants. After Jan 1, 2026, it is mandatory for new and renewing notaries.
Listed as required since the Jan 1, 2026 date has passed as of the verification date. Noted transition period in details.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Texas
Texas requires 2 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.