Notary Public

Our new SOS Notary Portal launches on December 10, 2024!

Create a new SOS Portal account now so that you can be ready when the new Notary Portal is live.

You will soon be able to:

Submit or renew a notary application
Check the status of your submission
Submit name and address changes
Pay online
File a notary complaint

For details on our modernization program, visit our SOS Modernization page.

Eligibility Requirements

To become a notary public in Texas, you must:

Be a Texas Resident;
Be at least 18 years of age, and
Maintain no convictions for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (theft, various misdemeanors)

The Office runs background checks on all notary applicants. If the Office discovers a notary public is not eligible at any time, the Office must reject a notary application or revoke the notary commission.

Before You Apply

Review our Notary FAQs
Review our online notary requirements

After You Apply

Review our educational materials and start your training
Avoid receiving disciplinary action or a complaint
Check out our services for notaries public

Application/Renewal Requirements

Traditional Notaries	Online Notaries
1. Properly read, complete, and sign Form 2301 - Application for Appointment as Texas Notary Public (PDF) State Employees: Form 2301-NB (PDF) Escrow Officers in Adjacent States: Form 2301-E (PDF) 2. Provide a $10,000 bond, if required 3. Pay the $21 filing fee, if applicable. Payment Form (PDF) 4. Meet the eligibility requirements 5. Submit your application via mail to: Notary Public Unit P.O. Box 13375 Austin, Texas 78711	1. Become a Traditional Texas Notary Public 2. Obtain a Verifiable X.509 Compliant Digital Certificate that includes your digital signature from a third party vendor 3. Obtain an electronic notary seal from a third party vendor 4. Properly complete the Online Notary Application. (You will be required to sign a Statement of Officer form with a compliant digital signature and upload a copy of your compliant electronic notary seal) 5. Pay a $50.00 application + 2.7% ($1.35) online application fee 6. Validate your email address for correspondence

Traditional Notaries

Online Notaries

1. Properly read, complete, and sign
Form 2301 - Application for Appointment as
Texas Notary Public (PDF)
State Employees: Form 2301-NB (PDF)
Escrow Officers in Adjacent States: Form 2301-E (PDF)

2. Provide a $10,000 bond, if required

3. Pay the $21 filing fee, if applicable. Payment Form (PDF)

4. Meet the eligibility requirements

5. Submit your application via mail to:
Notary Public Unit
P.O. Box 13375
Austin, Texas 78711

1. Become a Traditional Texas Notary Public

2. Obtain a Verifiable X.509 Compliant Digital Certificate that includes your digital signature from a third party vendor

3. Obtain an electronic notary seal from a third party vendor

4. Properly complete the Online Notary Application.
(You will be required to sign a Statement of Officer form with a compliant digital signature and upload a copy of your compliant electronic notary seal)

5. Pay a $50.00 application + 2.7% ($1.35) online application fee

6. Validate your email address for correspondence

Education for Notaries Public

Services for Notaries Public

¿Notario Público? Not in Texas! (En Español)

A notary public is not a notario or notario público.
A notary public is not authorized to practice law.
A notary public may not give legal advice or prepare legal documents.
A notary public may not charge a fee for preparation of immigration documents or represent someone in immigration matters.
Please report any notaries public disobeying these rules to the Office of the Secretary of State.