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

Most applicants are commissioned within two to three weeks of submitting a complete application and bond, though the education step and bond purchase add a little time up front.

Can you become a Texas notary for free?

No. Even the leanest path includes the $20 assessment fee and the $21 state filing fee, plus a bond and a seal, so budget roughly $70 to $120 in total.

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

No. You must be at least 18 and a legal resident of Texas, but United States citizenship is not required. Moving out of Texas ends the commission.

Is there a Texas notary exam?

Since 2026 there is a required assessment after the Secretary of State course: 20 open-book questions, passing at 70%. It is part of the education step, not a separate licensing exam.

Who provides the required Texas notary education?

Only the Texas Secretary of State offers the mandatory course; private companies cannot provide it, although they can still sell bonds and supplies.

How to Become a Notary in Texas (2026): Steps, Cost & SB693 Rules

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Texas notary rules changed on January 1, 2026 under Senate Bill 693; fees and steps can change, so confirm everything on the Texas Secretary of State website before you apply. We link to the official application; we never sell or submit it for you.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Texas in 2026 you must be 18, a Texas resident, complete the Secretary of State's mandatory education course and pass its assessment ($20 per attempt), obtain a $10,000 surety bond, and submit your application with the $21 state filing fee through the SOS Notary Portal. The whole process usually takes two to three weeks. Use the cost checklist below to total what you will spend.

Open the 2026 cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Texas?

Becoming a Texas notary in 2026 generally costs between $70 and $120, depending on the supplies you choose. The two state charges are fixed: the $20 education assessment fee per attempt and the $21 application filing fee. The rest depends on your bond price and whether you add a seal, a record journal, and optional errors and omissions insurance. Tick the items that apply to you and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Texas in 2026?

You become a Texas notary by completing the state's new education requirement and then filing an application with a surety bond. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, a Texas resident, with no final felony conviction or conviction for a crime of moral turpitude.
Complete the Secretary of State education course. Since January 1, 2026 every applicant takes the SOS course (about two hours) and passes a 20-question open-book assessment with a score of 70% or higher; a $20 fee applies to each attempt.
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond. Buy the four-year bond from a Texas-licensed bonding company; it protects the public, not you.
Submit your application and the $21 filing fee. File through the Texas SOS Notary Portal and upload proof of your bond.
Receive your commission and equip yourself. Once approved, download your commission, then get a notary seal and a record journal, which are now required.

The assessment is short and open-book; if you want to walk through sample questions first, see our Texas notary exam practice test.

What are the requirements to become a Texas notary?

The Texas notary requirements are minimal but strict on residency and honesty. You must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of Texas; United States citizenship is not required, but moving out of state ends your commission. You cannot have a final conviction for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude that has not been pardoned or set aside. As of 2026 you also must complete the Secretary of State's education and pass its assessment before you apply, and once commissioned you must keep a record journal.

What changed for Texas notaries in 2026?

The biggest change is that education is now mandatory, ending decades in which Texas asked for no course or test. Under Senate Bill 693, effective January 1, 2026, every new applicant and every notary renewing must take the Secretary of State's course and pass a 20-question assessment at 70% or higher, paying $20 per attempt directly to the SOS. The law also requires notaries to keep a journal of their acts, sets a 10-year record-retention period, and adds tougher penalties for notarizing without the signer's personal appearance. Notaries appointed before September 1, 2025 are exempt from the education step until they renew.

How do you renew a Texas notary commission?

You renew a Texas notary commission by repeating most of the original process, including the new education requirement. Since 2026, renewing notaries must also complete the Secretary of State's course and pass the assessment, then file a renewal application with a fresh $10,000 bond and the filing fee through the SOS Notary Portal. You can renew before your current commission expires, so start early to avoid a gap in your ability to notarize.

Do you need a notary bond in Texas?

Yes, Texas requires every notary to file a $10,000 surety bond for the four-year commission term. The bond protects the public from a notary's mistakes; it does not protect you, which is why many notaries also buy optional errors and omissions insurance for their own protection. You obtain the bond from a bonding company or insurance agency licensed in Texas, and you upload proof of it with your application. Bond prices vary by provider, so it is worth comparing a few before you buy.

Can you become a mobile or online notary in Texas?

Yes. A mobile notary is simply a commissioned Texas notary who travels to clients and may charge a separate, agreed travel fee on top of the state-set notarial fees. To notarize remotely by audio-video, you must first hold a traditional commission and then apply separately to the Secretary of State as an online notary public, meeting the additional technology and recording requirements. Both build on the same commission you get by following the steps above.

Becoming a Texas notary: frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a notary in Texas?: Most applicants are commissioned within two to three weeks of submitting a complete application and bond, though the education step and bond purchase add a little time up front.
Can you become a Texas notary for free?: No. Even the leanest path includes the $20 assessment fee and the $21 state filing fee, plus a bond and a seal, so budget roughly $70 to $120 in total.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Texas notary?: No. You must be at least 18 and a legal resident of Texas, but United States citizenship is not required. Moving out of Texas ends the commission.
Is there a Texas notary exam?: Since 2026 there is a required assessment after the Secretary of State's course: 20 open-book questions, passing at 70%. It is part of the education step, not a separate licensing exam.
Who provides the required Texas notary education?: Only the Texas Secretary of State offers the mandatory course; private companies cannot provide it, although they can still sell bonds and supplies.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public (sos.state.tx.us); Texas Government Code chapter 406 and Senate Bill 693 (2025). Confirm current fees and steps on the Texas Secretary of State website before applying.