Texas Notary Public Requirements
Texas added a mandatory online education course starting January 1, 2026 — a real change from the old process. Here’s what applies now.
- Quick facts
- The new 2026 education requirement
- Steps to get commissioned
- Remote Online Notary (RON)
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | Texas Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a legal resident of Texas |
| Education course | Mandatory 2-hour online course through the Texas SOS, required for new and renewing notaries as of January 1, 2026 |
| Assessment | 20 questions, 70% passing score, $20 fee per attempt |
| Bond | $10,000, costs roughly $50 for the full 4-year term |
| Application fee | $21 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
The new 2026 education requirement
Before January 1, 2026, Texas didn’t require any formal education course for most notary applicants — you could apply directly with your bond and application fee. That changed: effective January 1, 2026, every applicant, whether applying for the first time or renewing, must complete the Texas SOS’s own online course and pass a 20-question assessment at 70% or higher. If you’re reading an older guide that describes Texas as requiring “no course,” it’s now out of date.
Steps to get commissioned
- Confirm eligibility — 18+, a legal Texas resident, with no final felony conviction or crime involving moral turpitude on record.
- Complete the mandatory SOS online education course and pass the 20-question assessment (70%+, $20 per attempt).
- Purchase your $10,000 surety bond from a company authorized to do business in Texas, payable to the Governor.
- Submit your application and $21 fee to the Secretary of State, with your approved bond attached.
- Receive your 4-year commission once the Secretary of State approves your application.
Remote Online Notary (RON)
Texas has allowed Remote Online Notarization since July 1, 2018 — one of the longest-running RON programs of any state. It’s a separate authorization on top of your traditional commission, not a replacement for it: the online notary’s term runs concurrently with your traditional commission term. Unlike some states, Texas doesn’t require a second, larger bond for RON — the same $10,000 bond that covers your traditional commission also covers your online notary work. To get authorized, you file Form 2301ON with a $50 application fee (plus a 2.7% card-processing fee if paying online), and you’ll need an X.509-compliant digital certificate and electronic seal from an approved vendor. Online notaries must record each session’s audio and video and retain those recordings for 5 years. New education requirements for online notary applicants and renewals took effect September 1, 2025 — confirm the current course details directly with the Secretary of State.
Do current Texas notaries need to take the new course too?
Yes — the January 2026 rule applies to renewing notaries as well as first-time applicants, not just new commissions going forward.
Is the $10,000 bond the same as insurance for me?
No. The bond protects the public if you make a notarial error, and the bonding company can seek reimbursement from you afterward. Errors & omissions (E&O) insurance is a separate, optional product that protects you personally — many Texas notaries carry both.
Can I notarize documents in a Texas county I don’t live in?
Yes — a Texas notary commission is valid statewide, regardless of which county you reside in.