Texas is one of the lowest-cost states to become a notary — total state fees are just $21. But as of January 2026, new education requirements went into effect under SB 693.
To be commissioned as a notary public in Texas, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Source: Texas Government Code Chapter 406, as amended by SB 693 (effective January 1, 2026). Full requirements at the Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Unit.
Texas is among the cheapest states in the nation to get commissioned. The state fee is just $21. With education, bond, and supplies, plan for $81–$250 total.
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| State application fees | $21 | Yes | $10 commission + $10 bond filing + $1 archive fee. |
| Mandatory education course | Included | Yes (2026+) | Provided by the Texas SOS via online portal. |
| Assessment fee | $20 | Yes (2026+) | 20-question test, 70% to pass. |
| $10,000 surety bond | $25–$75 | Yes | Four-year term. Required by Texas law. |
| Notary stamp/seal | $20–$40 | Yes | Must say "Notary Public, State of Texas" around a 5-point star. |
| Notary record book | $15–$30 | Yes | Must retain entries for 10 years (was 5). |
| E&O insurance | $30–$80/yr | Optional | Recommended — bond protects public, not you. |
| Realistic total | $81–$250 | Lower end skips E&O. Notaries appointed before Sept 1, 2025 are exempt from the education requirement until renewal. |
Three bond providers we'd use for Texas. All three issue the $10,000 bond instantly online.
Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Smoothquill may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend providers we'd use ourselves.
Texas's process is one of the simplest, especially compared to California or Florida. Start to finish, expect 2–4 weeks. New SB 693 education requirements (effective Jan 1, 2026) add 2–3 hours of online coursework.
As of January 1, 2026, all new and renewing notaries must complete the Texas SOS education course before applying. The course is provided by the state and takes about 2 hours.
Only the Texas Secretary of State is authorized to provide the required education course. Third-party courses do not satisfy the requirement. The course is delivered online through the SOS Notary Portal and consists of instructional videos covering basic notary practices.
After completing the education course, you'll take a 20-question assessment through the SOS portal. You need 70% or higher to pass. The assessment fee is $20 per attempt.
The assessment is open-book and based directly on the SOS education course materials. Most applicants pass on their first attempt. If you fail, you can retake the assessment immediately — the questions are randomized.
Texas requires every notary to be bonded for $10,000 for the full four-year term. The bond protects the public from your misconduct; it does not protect you.
Premiums typically run $25–$75 for the 4-year term. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Texas, approved by the SOS, and payable to the Governor. Many notaries also purchase optional E&O insurance ($30–$80/year) for personal protection.
See bond options →Submit your application through the Texas SOS Notary Portal with the $21 state fee ($10 commission + $10 bond filing + $1 archive). Include your education certificate, assessment results, and bond documentation.
Once accepted, you have 90 days to complete the remaining eligibility documentation in the SOS portal. The Secretary of State conducts a background check on all applicants. Approval typically takes 1–2 weeks after complete submission.
Once approved, download your commission certificate from the SOS portal. Sign and notarize your oath of office (by another notary), order your official seal, and start your record book.
Texas seals must say "Notary Public, State of Texas" around a 5-point star, your name, your commission expiration date, and your notary ID number (for commissions issued on or after Jan 1, 2016). The seal can be circular (max 2" diameter) or rectangular (max 1"×2.5"). Maximum fee per notarial act in Texas is $10 (raised from $6 by HB 255).
Apply to Smoothquill →Texas notaries perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, and protests of negotiable instruments. Texas has a very active loan signing market, particularly in the major metros (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio). Notaries authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Texas is one of the most established RON markets in the country. Record-keeping is critical — Texas requires 10-year retention of your notary record book.
Texas's $10 per-act cap is modest, but loan signings ($75–$200 per signing) and RON work ($25 per online notarization) drive most full-time income. Texas's strong RON infrastructure makes it one of the better states for remote-only notary work.
Income estimates are based on the National Notary Association's annual notary income surveys, BLS data for legal services workers, and reported earnings from active notary marketplaces. Your actual income depends on market density, hours worked, and whether you certify as a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) for loan signing work.
Texas was one of the first states to authorize Remote Online Notarization. Texas RON notaries register separately with the SOS, use approved RON platforms (Notarize, NotaryCam, etc.), and can perform remote notarizations for signers anywhere — including out-of-state and international. Texas RON fees can be charged up to $25 per online notarial act.
Texas commissions last 4 years. To renew, you must complete the SB 693 education course (effective for renewals after Jan 1, 2026), pass the assessment, obtain a new $10,000 bond, and submit your renewal application via the SOS portal. Notaries appointed before Sept 1, 2025 are grandfathered out of education until their first post-2025 renewal.
Yes, starting January 1, 2026, all renewals require completion of the SB 693 education course and passing the 20-question assessment.
Not until your next renewal. You're grandfathered in for your current commission term, but your next renewal will require the new course.
No — your commission is only valid for notarizations performed in Texas. However, Texas escrow agents living in adjoining states are eligible to become Texas notaries without meeting the residency requirement.
10 years — increased from 5 years by recent legislation. This includes copies of all notarial certificates and journal entries.
$10 per traditional notarial act (raised from $6 by HB 255). RON notarizations are capped at $25 per act.
Typically 2–4 weeks. The bottleneck is usually waiting for SOS approval after submission — about 1–2 weeks. Education + assessment can be done in a single day if you're efficient.
Texas doesn't have to be complicated. Buy the bond, complete the steps, and you're commissioned in 2–4 weeks.
See bond options →Affiliate links — see disclosure below.