State Information for Texas

TEXAS NOTARY SUPPLIES:
To order your Texas Notary Stamp, Embossing Seal, Texas Notary Handbook, Recordbook, and all other supplies please
CLICK HERE to be taken to the ASN Supply Store.

Texas Traditional Notary Requirements and Information

“Traditional Notary Public” and “Online Notary Public”
Since July 1, 2018, Texas has authorized performance of an “online” notarization by a Texas Notary Public who also holds a separate commission as an Online Notary Public. Notaries Public must understand the differences between these two commissions and the powers associated with each one.
• Traditional Notary Public - The standard Notary Public commission prescribed under Subchapter A of Chapter 406. A Texas Traditional Notary Public may perform notarial acts on paper and electronic documents, but the signer (principal) must always be physically present before the Notary.
• Online Notary Public - The new Notary Public commission created under Subchapter C of Chapter 406, Government Code. An Online Notary Public must also hold a Traditional Notary Public Commission. Thus Online Notaries Public may perform notarial acts on paper and electronic documents for physically-present signers (principals). If the signer is remotely located, an Online Notary Public may notarize an electronic document with the remotely-located signer appearing by use of audio-video conference technology that complies with the requirements of Texas statutes and administrative rules.

Traditional Texas Notary Commission Qualifications
Notary applicants must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• be a resident of Texas (see NOTE below). U.S. citizenship is not required and no specific period of residency is required, but you must maintain residency throughout the term of appointment.;
• not have a conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony, and the conviction has become final, has not been set aside, and no pardon or certificate of restoration of citizenship rights has been granted. (See 1 TAC §87.10 for elaboration on crimes involving moral turpitude.)
NOTE: Non-residents living in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas or Louisiana, who have qualified as a Texas escrow officer, are also eligible for appointment as a Texas Traditional Notary Public.

How to Apply to Become a Texas Notary
See detailed information including applicable fees, on the website of the Texas Secretary of State: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/statforms.shtml#NPUF

Appointing Officer
Secretary of State.

Term of Office
4 year term.

Notary Education and/or Exam Requirement
Not Required. The Secretary of State may require a Notary who is subject to disciplinary action to complete a Notary Public course of study. Texas state agencies must require Notaries Without Bond to obtain Notary training.

Notary Bond Requirement
$10,000 Bond Required (4-year term)

Notary Recordbook (Journal) Requirement
• Recordbook required. Applicable to both paper and electronic notarial acts. Tangible journal, computer or other storage device allowed.
• “Secure electronic records” required, Online Notary Public. Online notarization records must be maintained electronically in computers or other storage devices capable of recording the information required by statute, which includes a recording of any video and audio conference that is the basis for identifying the principal in a remote online notarization. Additional required data to be recorded in a record of an online notarization is specified.

Notary Seal Requirement
•Ink stamp or embossing seal required, paper notarial acts. Must be photographically reproducible; indelible ink specified.
• Electronic seal required/specified, electronic notarial acts performed by Traditional or Online Texas Notaries. Must include information/elements that correspond to those required for the paper act seal. An electronically transmitted authenticated document must legibly reproduce the required elements of the seal. Use of an X.509 digital certificate specified for Online Notaries.

Authorized Duties
• Administer oaths/affirmations;
• take acknowledgments and proofs;
• certify copies of certain documents;
• take depositions;
• note protests.
• May also declare that a paper or tangible copy of an electronic record is a true and correct copy of an electronic record (by means of an executed Declaration of Authenticity).
• A Texas Online Notary Public may perform the notarial acts authorized in TX Government Code §406.016 as an online notarization for remotely located individuals, using communication technology and subject to requirements and limitations in statutes and any administrative rules.

Change of Name, Address or Eligibility Status
See detailed information on the website of the Texas Secretary of State: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/statforms.shtml#NPUF


Contact Information for the State of Texas

State of Texas Notary Website
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/notary-public.shtml

State of Texas Notary FAQs
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/faqs2300.shtml

State of Texas Online Notary Search
https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/notaries/NotarySearch.asp

Phone Number
(512) 463-5705

Mailing Address
Notary Public Unit
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13375
Austin, TX 78711-3375


Apostilles, Certifications and Authentications Information

Phone Number
(512) 463-5705

Further Information
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/authinfo.shtml



All rights reserved. This information was compiled by the American Society of Notaries. The content of this page may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the American Society of Notaries. Copyright 2022

Information on this page is provided with the understanding that the user is solely responsible for his/her knowledge of notarial law, procedures and practices. The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. All information is subject to change without notice and therefore is provided “as is,” free of warranty of any kind. Last updated July 2022.


[back to top] [back to state list]

This is an ASN Members'-Only Feature! Please Log In or Join Now!

[back to top] [back to state list]

128-Bit SSL Encryption for your Protection!Your data is safe with us! (read our privacy and security policy)

All Images and Content Copyright 2005 - 2024 • American Society of Notaries
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without the express, written permission of ASN.
Privacy PolicyNotary SuppliesNotary TrainingASN MembershipFind a Notary Site Map
P.O. Box 5707 • Tallahassee, FL 32314 • (850) 671-5164
www.notaryeducation.com www.onlinenotarytraining.org www.notaries.org