Texas Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice

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Online Notary Public

Additional Texas commission authorizing online notarizations; a traditional notary commission must be held first and the commissions expire together.

Licensing authority: Texas Secretary of State · Application information

Online notary appointment after new traditional commission (employee)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary appointment from active traditional commission (employee)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (employee)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reappointment after expiration (employee)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary renewal (employee)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary appointment after new traditional commission (escrow)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary appointment from active traditional commission (escrow)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (escrow)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reappointment after expiration (escrow)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary renewal (escrow)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Qualification under a new name and issuance of an amended commission

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the prescribed name-change application, current commission certificate or the permitted signed and notarized statement, and applicable statutory fee.
Bond rider: For a traditional bonded commission, obtain a surety rider or endorsement naming the change; the qualifying state-employee without-bond commission retains its bond exemption.
Both commissions: Request the corresponding traditional and online commission name changes together and obtain new traditional and electronic seals and a digital certificate in the amended name.
Existing commission: Hold a current commission and seek qualification under a new name during its existing term.
New seal: Obtain a new seal in the amended commissioned name and perform future acts under that name.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

chapter-87-part-33.html
1 TAC §87.61, qualification under a new name
chapter-87-part-34.html
1 TAC §87.62, amended commission

Online notary appointment after new traditional commission (resident)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary appointment from active traditional commission (resident)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (resident)

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.

Online notary reappointment after expiration (resident)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Online notary renewal (resident)

All of the following:

Texas traditional notary education assessment
Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education (practice unavailable)

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Application fee: Pay the $50 online commission application fee.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Digital certificate: Provide an x.509 compliant digital certificate and electronically sign the statement of officer.
Electronic seal: Provide an electronic seal matching the commissioned name and satisfy the online-notarization standards.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
No additional bond: SOS states that no additional bond is required for the online commission beyond the traditional commission's bond.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.
Traditional commission: Hold an active traditional Texas notary public commission before appointment as an online notary; the online commission expires with that traditional commission.
Traditional process: Complete the traditional appointment or reappointment process first, including its assessment, before the online commission can be issued; the two curricula remain separate.

Notary Public Without Bond (State Employee)

Traditional notary commission without a surety bond for an officer or employee of a state agency; notarial acts are limited to official state duties.

Licensing authority: Texas Secretary of State · Application information

Qualification under a new name and issuance of an amended commission

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the prescribed name-change application, current commission certificate or the permitted signed and notarized statement, and applicable statutory fee.
Bond rider: For a traditional bonded commission, obtain a surety rider or endorsement naming the change; the qualifying state-employee without-bond commission retains its bond exemption.
Existing commission: Hold a current commission and seek qualification under a new name during its existing term.
New seal: Obtain a new seal in the amended commissioned name and perform future acts under that name.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

chapter-87-part-33.html
1 TAC §87.61, qualification under a new name
chapter-87-part-34.html
1 TAC §87.62, amended commission
chapter-87-part-8.html
1 TAC §87.20(a), without-bond qualification

Notary initial appointment (employee)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.

Notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (employee)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.

Notary reappointment after expiration (employee)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.

Notary renewal (employee)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Agency training: The employing agency must require an internal or external notary training class under 1 TAC §87.22(c); this does not replace the SOS course.
Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond exemption: A qualifying state officer or employee need not provide a surety bond.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Employment proof: Use the without-bond process, verified through the State Office of Risk Management, and upload the SORM-203 acknowledgment and interagency payment evidence required by the SOS guide.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Official duties only: A notary commissioned without bond may notarize only in the course of official state duties and must use a seal marked Notary without Bond.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a Texas resident.
State employment: Be an officer or employee of a state agency and apply for the commission without bond.

Traditional Notary Public

Four-year Texas notary public commission for traditional notarizations.

Licensing authority: Texas Secretary of State · Application information

Continue the remaining commission term after ending state employment by providing a notary bond

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Bond: Purchase and provide evidence of a notary bond for the time remaining in the current term, under 1 TAC §87.21(b)(2).
Deadline: Take the action within 30 days of ending state employment.
Existing commission: Hold a current commission previously qualified without bond, and terminate state employment.
Term: Continue only the remaining term of the existing commission; this pathway does not appoint a new term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

chapter-87-part-9.html
1 TAC §87.21(b), alternatives following termination of state employment
chapter-87-part-9.html
1 TAC §87.21(c), action deadline

Notary initial appointment (escrow)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.

Notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (escrow)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.

Notary reappointment after expiration (escrow)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.

Notary renewal (escrow)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide the separate $10,000 notary public surety bond required under Government Code §406.010.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Escrow status: Maintain the qualifying escrow-officer status; loss of that status requires voluntary surrender under 1 TAC §87.12(c).
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of a state adjacent to Texas and remain qualified as an escrow officer under Insurance Code §2652.051; its subsection (d) overrides the general Texas residency requirement for this notary pathway.

Qualification under a new name and issuance of an amended commission

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the prescribed name-change application, current commission certificate or the permitted signed and notarized statement, and applicable statutory fee.
Bond rider: For a traditional bonded commission, obtain a surety rider or endorsement naming the change; the qualifying state-employee without-bond commission retains its bond exemption.
Existing commission: Hold a current commission and seek qualification under a new name during its existing term.
New seal: Obtain a new seal in the amended commissioned name and perform future acts under that name.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

chapter-87-part-33.html
1 TAC §87.61, qualification under a new name
chapter-87-part-34.html
1 TAC §87.62, amended commission

Notary initial appointment (resident)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.

Notary new term after state employment (resident)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Previous without bond commission: After terminating state employment, voluntarily surrender the previous without-bond commission and apply for a new term with a notary bond and applicable fees, under 1 TAC §87.21(b)(3).
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.

Notary reapplication after rejection or revocation (resident)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior rejection or revocation: Reapply for a commission after the prior rejection or revocation; the reason for ineligibility or good cause must have ceased, and there is no automatic restoration.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.

Notary reappointment after expiration (resident)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Expired commission: The previous commission has expired; Government Code §406.011(b) provides a new four-year term measured from qualification when reappointment was not completed before expiration.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.

Notary renewal (resident)

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Application: Submit the prescribed application, identifying information, statement of officer, and applicable filing fees through the SOS Notary Portal.
Bond: Provide a $10,000 bond from an authorized solvent surety company.
Course attempt limit: No more than three course completions in a three-month period to fulfill the education requirement.
Course completion window: Complete the course no later than the 90th day after SOS receives its fee; late completion does not fulfill the requirement and a new fee is required.
Course fee: Pay the $20 nonrefundable fee for each required course attempt.
Course proof age: Provide proof of successful course completion within the year preceding the application and proof of payment of its course fee.
Course provider: The required education or continuing education must be established and offered by the Texas Secretary of State.
Criminal eligibility: No final felony or crime-involving-moral-turpitude conviction that remains disqualifying; 1 TAC §87.10 addresses set-aside convictions, pardons, restoration of citizenship rights, and Class C misdemeanors.
Good cause: No continuing ineligibility or good cause for rejection; a prior rejected application or revoked commission bars commissioning while its reason continues.
Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Oath: Execute the official oath before performing notarial duties; the notary cannot administer their own oath.
Passing standard: Successfully answer at least 70% of the course assessment questions.
Pending complaints: SOS may require a pending complaint from a prior term to be resolved before accepting a new or renewal application under 1 TAC §87.35.
Pre 2025 appointment: Government Code §406.023(d)(4) prohibits requiring a person appointed before September 1, 2025 to complete the initial-appointment education requirement; reappointment has its own continuing education requirement.
Prior commission: The applicant seeks reappointment after a previous Texas notary commission and must complete the applicable continuing education assessment.
Renewal window: For an unexpired commission, apply no earlier than 90 days before expiration and submit by expiration; renewal eligibility is determined afresh.
Residency: Be a resident of Texas.

Notary Education Assessment — Online Notary Education

Provider: Texas Secretary of State
Format: Online answers to questions after the required education videos
Time limit: 30 minutes for the assessment
Passing score: At least 70% of the questions answered successfully
Exam fee: $20 nonrefundable education course fee per attempt

Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

Texas Government Code Chapter 406 — Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 121 — Acknowledgments and Proofs of Written Instruments
Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 4, Chapter 87 — Notary Public
Texas Government Code §§603.006–603.007 — Fee Book and Bill for Fees
Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 322 — Uniform Electronic Transactions Act

Examination sources

online-video-2.pdf
ONV2 9:25, direct online assessment link
online-video-1.pdf
ONV1 1:19, enumerated governing instruments
online-video-1.pdf
ONV1 4:41, enumerated fee-record provisions
online-video-1.pdf
ONV1 3:59, named UETA scope provision
texas-sos-notary-faq.html
Electronic notarization FAQ, UETA reference
business-commerce-322.html
Business & Commerce Code §322.011, completeness of notarial authorization
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(c), separate traditional and online curricula
chapter-87-current.html
Official chapter identification
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(c) minimum passing score
online-application.pdf
Education course, assessment step 8
online-application.pdf
Education course, prerequisite videos
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(d) course completion window
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8 Source Note

Texas traditional notary education assessment

Provider: Texas Secretary of State
Format: Online answers to questions after the required education videos
Time limit: 30 minutes for the assessment
Passing score: At least 70% of the questions answered successfully
Exam fee: $20 nonrefundable education course fee per attempt

Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

Texas Government Code Chapter 406 — Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 121 — Acknowledgments and Proofs of Written Instruments
Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 4, Chapter 87 — Notary Public
Texas Government Code §§603.006–603.008 — Fee Book, Bill for Fees, and Posting of Fees
Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 322 — Uniform Electronic Transactions Act

Examination sources

NV4-notary-compliance.pdf
NV4 11:46, direct assessment link
NV1-what-is-a-notary.pdf
NV1 1:03, enumerated governing instruments
texas-sos-notary-educational-information.html
Fees Posted, named Government Code provision
texas-sos-notary-educational-information.html
Fee Book, named Government Code provision
texas-sos-notary-educational-information.html
To Itemize Costs, named Government Code provision
texas-sos-notary-faq.html
Electronic notarization FAQ, UETA reference
business-commerce-322.html
Business & Commerce Code §322.011, completeness of notarial authorization
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(c), separate traditional and online curricula
chapter-87-current.html
Official chapter identification
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(c) minimum passing score
traditional-notary-application-guide.pdf
Education course, assessment step 8
traditional-notary-application-guide.pdf
Education course, prerequisite videos
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8(d) course completion window
chapter-87-part-0.html
1 TAC §87.8 Source Note