How to Become a Notary Public in Texas (2026 Guide with New SB693 Requirements)

Senate Bill 693 (SB693) created a mandatory education and exam requirement for all Texas notary applicants, effective January 1, 2026. Before this law, Texas had NO education or exam requirement to become a notary — you just applied and got your commission. Now, every person applying for a new commission or renewing an existing one must complete a state-provided education course and pass a 20-question assessment. This is the biggest change to Texas notary law in decades.

To qualify for a Texas notary commission in 2026 and beyond, you must meet these requirements: - Be at least 18 years old - Be a legal resident of Texas (US citizenship is not required, but Texas residency is mandatory — moving out of state invalidates your commission) - Have no final conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude - Complete the mandatory 2-hour education course through the Texas Secretary of State - Pass the 20-question assessment with a score of 70% or higher - Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a Texas licensed bonding company Notaries appointed before September 1, 2025 are exempt from the education requirement until they renew.

The education course is a maximum of 2 hours and consists of instructional videos about basic notary practices. Here is the critical detail most people miss: Only the Texas Secretary of State is authorized to provide the required education course. Private companies and third-party courses do NOT satisfy this requirement. You must complete the course directly through the SOS Notary Portal. NotaryExamPro is supplemental exam prep — we help you study and practice for the assessment, but you must still complete the official SOS course.

After completing the education course, you must pass the assessment. Key details: - 20 multiple choice questions - You need 70% to pass (14 out of 20 correct) - The SOS charges $20 per attempt (non-refundable) - If you fail, you can retake it up to 3 times within 3 months - All questions come from the material covered in the four required instructional videos - The assessment is accessed through the SOS Notary Portal This is where NotaryExamPro helps — our AI generates unlimited practice questions in the same format as the real assessment so you can practice until you are confident.

Once you pass the assessment: 1. Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a Texas licensed bonding company 2. Submit your application through the SOS Notary Portal 3. Pay the state fees totaling $21 ($10 commission + $10 bond filing + $1 archive fee) 4. If you have criminal convictions, submit copies of court orders and sentencing paperwork 5. Wait for SOS approval and download your commission certificate from the portal The Secretary of State conducts a background check on all applicants.

Before you can notarize anything, you must take the oath of office printed on your commission certificate. Sign it in the presence of another authorized official (like another notary) who notarizes your signature. Keep the signed certificate for your records. Do not file it with the SOS or county clerk. Your commission lasts 4 years with no grace period for expired commissions.

Your Texas notary seal must contain: - The words 'Notary Public, State of Texas' arranged around a star of five points - Your name as it appears on your commission - Your commission expiration date - Your notary ID number (required for commissions issued on or after January 1, 2016) The seal can be circular (max 2 inches diameter) or rectangular (max 1 inch by 2.5 inches). It must have a serrated or milled edge border and use indelible ink. You also need a record book to document all notarial acts. Texas requires you to maintain this record book for 10 years.

Here is a breakdown of the costs: - SOS education course: included with assessment fee - Assessment fee: $20 per attempt - State application fees: $21 total - $10,000 surety bond: approximately $25-$75 per year - Notary seal/stamp: $20-$40 - Record book: $15-$30 - Exam prep (NotaryExamPro): $49 lifetime access Total estimated cost: $150-$250 depending on your choices.

The Texas assessment is new, so there is less public information about it compared to California. Here is what we know and how to prepare: 1. Watch all four SOS instructional videos carefully — every question comes from this material 2. Focus on fees (the exact dollar amounts for each service), seal requirements, and record book entries 3. Know the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat 4. Understand the new SB693 criminal penalties for notarizing without personal appearance 5. Study the 10-year record retention requirement — this is new and heavily tested 6. Practice with AI-generated questions that match the 20-question format 7. Remember: 70% to pass means you can only miss 6 questions out of 20