How to Become a Notary in Texas

Quick Facts

Minimum Age

Residency Required

Yes

Education Required

No

Exam Required

No

Yes

Background Check Required

Bond Requirement

Yes

Commission Term

4 years

Journal Required

Yes

Stamp Requirement

Yes

Last updated

August , 2025

Steps to Become a Notary in Texas

Education:

The following educational materials are provided to you in accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. §406.008(b). This information should be kept for reference throughout your four-(4) year term. Please read through this information at least once before you begin to perform your notarial duties. THE STATUTES REFERRED TO IN THESE MATERIALS ARE SUBJECT TO LEGISLATIVE CHANGE. The Secretary of State will provide a copy of these changes only upon request. Contact the Secretary of State, Notary Public Unit, P.O. Box 13375, Austin, Texas 78711 3375 or call (512) 463 5705 following each legislative session. The Secretary of State’s office would like to thank the Texas Young Lawyers Association for permitting us to use excerpts from their former publication, Texas Notary Public Handbook.Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs. Step 2: Review our Notary Education Materials. Step 3: Start Your Training. Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) on how to Submit a Traditional Notary Application to become a Notary Public. NOTE: If you are completing an application submitted by your bonding agency, please review these instructions (PDF). Step 5: Obtain proof of a Notary Public Surety bond from a Texas licensed bonding company. Please note, this form must be completed by a licensed surety bond agency. Step 6: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in our SOS Portal system.

Education Final:

No training is required.

Exam Final:

No exam is required.

Background Check Final:

Yes, must complete an authorized backround check

Bond:

A notary public must secure a $10,000 surety bond. An authorized person for the surety company providing the bond must sign in the space provided.

Bond Final:

Yes, a $10,000 bond is required

Applictation Final:

Yes, application and a fee required

Order Supplies Final:

Stamp Required

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Texas Secretary of State

Notary Public Section

The Texas Secretary of State appoints and commissions new applicants and renewing notaries public. “All records concerning the appointment and qualification of the notary public shall be kept in the office of the secretary of state” (Tex. Gov’t. Code Ann. §406.012).

Always Verify the Information with your State’s Official Notary Licensing Agency.