Page Summary
- To become a Texas notary, you must be at least 18, a Texas resident, and have no final felony or moral-turpitude conviction.
- Applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 require the Secretary of State’s own education course, which is no more than two hours long.
- You need a $10,000 surety bond and must pay a $21 state filing fee. The commission lasts four years.
- Texas notaries must use a seal with a five-pointed star and keep a record book, and SB 693 made notarizing without the signer present a crime.
- Commissions do not transfer between states. In the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, Priority Mobile Notary can come to you at (423) 401-8316.
Becoming a notary public in Texas can support a career in real estate, law, banking or a mobile notary business. The Texas Secretary of State sets the requirements, and those requirements changed recently. Many older guides still describe rules that no longer apply. Below are the current requirements, the steps in order, and the mistakes new Texas notaries most often make.
2026 Update: What the Texas Secretary of State Requires Now
Texas changed its notary rules in 2025. Senate Bill 693 took effect September 1, 2025, and the Secretary of State says the new education requirement applies to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Here are the current requirements, checked against the Texas Secretary of State’s notary page:
| Requirement | Texas rule |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | At least 18, a Texas resident, and no final conviction for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude |
| Education | The Secretary of State’s own notary course (no more than two hours), completed before you apply or renew |
| Surety bond | $10,000 |
| State filing fee | $21 |
| Term | Four years |
| Seal | Must show “Notary Public, State of Texas” around a five-pointed star, plus your name, ID number and commission expiration date |
| Record book | Required for every notarization, whether or not you charge a fee |
SB 693 also made it a crime to notarize for someone who is not personally present. It is a Class A misdemeanor, or a state jail felony when the document transfers real property.
Texas Notary Steps in Order
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility rules above.
- Complete the Secretary of State education course.
- Buy a $10,000 notary bond through a bonding or insurance company. Many of them file the application for you.
- Submit the application and the $21 fee to the Secretary of State.
- After your commission is issued, order a compliant seal and a record book before you perform any notarizations.
Maximum Fees Texas Notaries May Charge
Texas caps what notaries may charge under Government Code § 406.024. An acknowledgment is $10 for the first signature and $1 for each additional signature. Administering an oath or affirmation with a certificate and seal is $10. The Secretary of State may adjust these amounts for inflation every five years, so check the current schedule before you set your prices.
Living in Tennessee Instead?
Rules vary by state, and a Texas commission does not carry over. Tennessee uses a county process: you apply through your county clerk, are elected by the county commission and file a $10,000 bond. Our Tennessee notary application guide walks through it. If you simply need a document notarized in the Chattanooga area, Priority Mobile Notary can come to your home, office or care facility.
Common Pitfalls for New Texas Notaries
- Skipping the record book. Texas requires an entry for every notarization, including free ones. Entries are public information.
- Weak ID checks. Confirm each signer’s identity using an acceptable ID or another method the law allows. Never take someone’s word for it.
- Notarizing for someone who is not present. This is now a criminal offense under SB 693.
- Overcharging. Texas sets maximum fees, so your prices cannot exceed the statutory schedule.
- Giving legal advice. Unless you are also a licensed attorney, you cannot tell signers which document or certificate to use.
For the signing side, see our step-by-step guide on how to notarize a document in Texas.
Online Notarization in Texas
Texas also offers a separate online notary commission for remote notarizations over audio-video technology. It has its own application and education information on the Secretary of State’s website, and you generally need a traditional commission first. Check the Secretary of State’s current online notary guidance before you apply, because those rules are updated separately.
What a Notary Does and Does Not Do
In every state, a notary is an impartial witness. The notary checks identity, confirms the signer is acting willingly and completes the certificate. The notary does not draft legal strategy or decide whether a document is valid. Our guide on what notaries can and cannot do explains this in more detail and applies broadly across states.
Renewing Your Texas Commission
A Texas commission lasts four years. To renew, you complete the Secretary of State’s education course again and submit a new application with the filing fee and bond. Start well before your expiration date. If your commission lapses, you cannot notarize anything until a new commission is issued, and any notarization made after expiration may be challenged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Texas?
The state filing fee is $21. The Secretary of State education course is set at $20, according to the legislative summary of SB 693. You also pay for the $10,000 surety bond and your seal and record book, and those costs vary by vendor.
Is there a Texas notary exam?
Texas requires completion of the Secretary of State’s own education course, which is no more than two hours long, before you apply. Older articles that describe a separate 40-question state exam or a four-hour private course do not match the Secretary of State’s current guidance.
Can I use my Texas commission in Tennessee?
No. A notary commission is generally valid only in the state that issued it. To notarize in Tennessee, you would need a Tennessee commission, which requires living in or having your principal place of business in a Tennessee county.
How long is a Texas notary commission?
Four years. When you renew, you complete the Secretary of State’s education course again.
Need a Tennessee notary near Chattanooga? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or request an appointment online.
Priority Mobile Notary Services
Karen McCormick is a Tennessee Notary Public, bonded and insured through the National Notary Association, serving Hixson, Chattanooga and the surrounding communities. This page is general information, not legal advice. Call (423) 401-8316 or email prioritymobilenotaryservices@gmail.com.
