How to Become a Notary in Texas (2026 Guide)

Texas has one of the most straightforward notary processes in the country, but it changed recently. Applicants now have to complete a state education requirement before they apply, and everything runs through the Secretary of State’s online Notary Portal.

Here is the full 2026 process to become a notary in Texas, step by step.

Who can become a notary in Texas

According to the Texas Secretary of State, you must:

Be a Texas resident
Be at least 18 years old
Have no final conviction for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude

The Secretary of State runs a background check on every applicant. If you have a past conviction, you may need to submit the court order, sentencing paperwork and a written statement describing it.

Step 1: Complete the notary education requirement

Under Senate Bill 693, new and renewing applicants must complete the state’s notary education requirement before submitting an application. You complete it through the SOS Notary Portal, which requires an SOSPortal account. Check the portal for the current course fee and format.

Step 2: Get a $10,000 notary surety bond

Texas requires every traditional notary to be bonded for $10,000 for the four-year commission term. The bond must come from a Texas licensed bonding company, and the bonding agency completes the bond form. The bond protects the public, not you. If you want protection for yourself against honest mistakes, that is a separate errors and omissions policy.

Step 3: Submit your application in SOSPortal

Submit the traditional notary application in SOSPortal with proof of your bond and the $21 filing fee. Some bonding agencies submit the application for you; the Secretary of State publishes separate instructions for that route. You will get a confirmation email when it is submitted and another when it is processed.

Step 4: Download your commission and take your oath

If you are approved, your commission is available as a one-time download from your Notary Portal dashboard. You must sign your commission under oath in the presence of a notary public or another authorized official. A notary cannot notarize their own commission, so plan for this step before you start booking clients.

Need your oath or another document notarized?
A live notary can notarize documents online for signers anywhere in the U.S. If your document is for a Texas agency, confirm with that office that an out-of-state online notarization is acceptable. Notarize online →

Step 5: Get your seal and record book

Texas requires notaries to authenticate every official act with a seal. The seal must show the words Notary Public, State of Texas around a five-pointed star, your name and your commission expiration date. Notaries commissioned or renewed on or after January 1, 2016 must also include their notary ID number.

Texas also requires a record book. Each entry includes the date of the document, the date of the notarization, the name and address of each signer, how you identified them and a brief description of the document. You may not record ID card, driver license or passport numbers. Keep records for the longer of your commission term or three years after the notarization.

What a Texas notary can charge

Maximum fees are set by Texas Government Code section 406.024, and a notary can always charge less or nothing. Charging more than the law allows is grounds for discipline.

Becoming an online notary in Texas

Online notarization is a separate commission that runs alongside your traditional one. You need an x.509 compliant digital certificate and an electronic seal from a third-party provider, then you apply through the SOS Notary Portal. No second bond is required, and your online commission expires on the same day as your traditional commission.

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying before finishing the education requirement
Ordering a seal before your commission is approved and your ID number is assigned
Forgetting that your commission must be signed under oath in front of another notary
Recording ID numbers in your record book, which Texas does not allow
Advertising as a notario publico, a phrase Texas prohibits

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a notary in Texas?

Most of the time is the education course, getting your surety bond and the Secretary of State processing your application. Once approved, you download your commission from the SOS Notary Portal and sign it under oath in front of a notary or authorized official.

Do you need a class to become a notary in Texas?

Yes. Under Senate Bill 693, applicants for a new or renewed Texas notary commission must complete the Secretary of State notary education requirement through the SOS Notary Portal before applying.

How much does it cost to become a notary in Texas?

The state filing fee is $21. You also pay for the required education course, a four-year $10,000 surety bond from a Texas licensed bonding company, your notary seal and a record book.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Texas notary?

The Texas Secretary of State lists three eligibility requirements: be a Texas resident, be at least 18 years old, and have no final conviction for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

How long is a Texas notary commission?

Four years. You can renew through the SOS Notary Portal, and renewal applicants must also meet the education requirement.

Can a Texas notary notarize online?

Only after becoming a Texas online notary, which is a separate commission. You need an x.509 compliant digital certificate and an electronic seal, and you apply through the SOS Notary Portal. No additional bond is required.

Notarize these documents online

Proof of Loss Forms Vital Records Applications Bill of Sale HIPAA Authorization Forms Deeds (Grant, Deed of Trust, Quit Claim, Warranty)Affidavit of Forgery or Fraud See all documents

How to Become a Notary in Texas (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)