As a public notary in the Lone Star State, you have a straightforward way to make money while helping people with some of the most important processes in their lives. Whether you notarize as a full-time career or a side hustle, your ability to continue in this field hinges on you keeping your notary commission current.
Fortunately, preventing your commission from expiring isn't too challenging. We've outlined the following process to renew a Texas notary commission — and answered some frequently asked questions — here.
The renewal window for Texas notaries opens 90 days before the current commission's expiration date. If you're within three months of the expiration date printed on your seal, it's time to start your renewal process.
This starts with completing the renewal application. Thankfully, it's the same form you used to get your notary commission in the first place. To avoid the hassle of a bunch of paper forms and mail fees, you can complete this renewal application online.
More good news: the renewal form is simple. You just need to fill in:
Unless you're a state employee, you must carry a surety bond as a public notary. This is like insurance for the people you serve. If something goes awry because of your notary services, that affected individual can make a claim and get payment from your bond.
The state requires that all Texas notaries have a $10,000 surety bond. You'll pay a premium for this bond just like you would for any other insurance policy.
For the bond to count toward your notary commission requirement, it needs to come from.
As a company licensed by the State of Texas to issue fidelity and surety bonds, we simplify the paperwork to make it easier to renew your Texas notary commission. When you fill out your renewal application form with us, you can purchase your bond as part of that process.
When you complete the form and bond purchasing process, must print and sign the one page application. Then, either scan that signed application and email it to us at info@notaries.com or mail it in to:
Notaries.com
225 E Robinson St #570
Orlando, FL 32801
We will submit it to the state for you, along with the $21 filing fee. It usually takes 30 days or less for the state to review your renewal application.
Once it gets approved, the state won't mail your notary certificate. Instead, they exclusively communicate via email. Keep an eye on the inbox (and potentially the spam folder) of the email address you provided on your renewal application. Your commission certificate will arrive via email from notarypubliccommission@sos.state.tx.
Once your commission certificate, print it and schedule a time with another notary administer the Oath of Office notarize your commission.
Proper supplies are vital for a notary to function. While there are some nice-to-haves — like an embosser and a frame for your commission certificate — we recommend prioritizing these two components of a successful notary practice.
The state requires all notaries to record their work and maintain those records. You can do this in any notebook/journal, but you're required to keep it for at least three years (and the state says the best practice is to keep your record books permanently).
If your current record book is nearly full, buy another one so you'll be ready.
State law doesn't require you to have this insurance but it's an important way to protect yourself. While your surety bond pays out to other people of something goes wrong, errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is designed to protect you in the event you face a lawsuit.
And because E&O coverage is so affordable and easy to get, there's no reason to go without this safeguard.
Your official notary seal needs to be updated upon your renewal. Once you get your new certificate via email, we use the information to create your new stamp, which you pre-ordered as part of the renewal application/bond purchasing process.
Your new stamp will include your name, your notary identification number, your new commission expiration date, and the words "Notary Public, State of Texas" around a five-pointed star. Once you get your commission via email, we automatically start making your stamp. You should receive it in 10 business days.
When you get your new stamp, destroy your old one to prevent its misuse. If you lose any of your notarial materials (like your stamp or record book), you're required to inform the state. You can do this via email at notary@sos.texas.gov or by sending a letter to:
Notary Public Unit
P.O. Box 13375
Austin, Texas 78711-3375
Your commission expires every four years. Check your seal for your expiration date and start the renewal process 90 days before that date.
Multiple costs are involved, including the price of your new official seal and the premium for your $10,000 surety bond. The filing fee for the state is $21, which is included when you renew with Notaries.com.
Absolutely. Start the process here.
All Texas notaries are required to have a $10,000 surety bond from a company licensed to do business in the state, with one exception. If you're an employee of the state, you may not need this bond to serve as a notary public.
This is the date on which your commission expires, which occurs every four years.
Yes, but you need to cease notary activity on the day your commission expires and you can't do any notarization until you get your new seal.
The state opens your renewal window 90 days before your current expiration date. If you try earlier than that, your renewal application will likely get denied.
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