The cost to become a notary in Texas typically runs $80 to $130 out of pocket. That covers the $21 state application fee, a surety bond premium of about $50, an official seal in the $20 to $50 range, and a record book at $10 to $40. A state-run education course is also required before you apply.
The $21 Application Fee
Texas charges a non-refundable $21 application fee for a traditional notary commission. State employees pay $11. If you want to be commissioned as an online notary, authorized to perform remote notarizations by audio-video technology, the fee is $50 instead.1Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Forms and Fees
Under Texas Government Code Section 406.007, the $21 traditional fee splits into $10 for bond filing, $1 for an investigator fund, and $10 for the commission itself.
The $10,000 Surety Bond
Every Texas notary must post a $10,000 surety bond before taking office. The bond protects the public if a notary makes an error or engages in misconduct.2Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Form 2301-B – Texas Notary Public Surety Bond
You don’t pay $10,000 yourself. You pay a premium to a bonding company licensed in Texas, and the company guarantees the bond amount. Most bonding companies charge around $50 for the four-year term. The Secretary of State does not set or recommend bond pricing, so shop around, though premiums don’t tend to vary dramatically.
One thing to understand about the bond: it protects the public, not you. If the bonding company pays out on a claim, it can seek reimbursement from you.
The Notary Seal
Texas law requires every notary to have an official seal and to use it on every notarial act. The seal must display the words “Notary Public, State of Texas” around a five-pointed star, your full name as commissioned, your Secretary of State identifying number, and your commission expiration date. It can be circular (up to two inches across) or rectangular (up to one inch by two and a half inches), with a serrated or milled edge border. A rubber stamp version must use indelible ink.3State of Texas. Texas Code Government Code 406.013 – Seal
Plan on $20 to $50 from an office supply vendor or notary supply company. You can’t order the seal until your commission is approved, because it has to carry your assigned number and expiration date.
The Record Book
Texas notaries are legally required to keep a record book logging every notarization. For each act you must record the date of the instrument and the date of notarization, the signer’s name and mailing address, how you verified their identity (personal knowledge, government-issued ID or passport, or introduction by someone you know), a brief description of the instrument, and, if land is involved, the original grantee’s name and the county where the land sits. Records must be kept for at least ten years and may be maintained electronically.4State of Texas. Texas Code Government Code 406.014 – Notary Records
A bound notary journal generally costs $10 to $40. Going electronic shifts that cost to whatever software or storage you use.
The Required Education Course
All Texas notary applicants must complete an education course before submitting an application. The requirement, established by Senate Bill 693, applies to new applicants and to those renewing an existing commission.5Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Notary Public You take the course through the Secretary of State’s online Notary Portal, so no separate private training is needed.6Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Notary Public Educational Information The Secretary of State’s site does not list a separate fee for the course beyond the application fee, but check the portal for current pricing when you apply.
Optional Costs Worth Considering
Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance covers your own finances if you make an unintentional mistake during a notarization. Policies typically run $50 to $100 per year depending on coverage limits. It isn’t required, but it’s a relatively cheap safety net if you notarize often.
Some notaries also buy a thumbprint pad, a carrying bag, or a lockbox for the seal and journal. None are legally required. A thumbprint pad can be useful for certain real estate transactions where lenders or title companies expect one, but Texas law doesn’t mandate it.
Renewal Every Four Years
A Texas commission lasts four years. Renewal repeats the same expenses: a new surety bond premium, the $21 application fee, the education course, a new oath of office, and a new seal reflecting the updated expiration date.1Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Forms and Fees Budget the same $80 to $130 every four years, and start renewal before your current commission expires so you don’t lose the authority to notarize in between.
What You Can Charge to Recoup It
Texas caps notary fees by type of act. The most common maximums:
- Acknowledgment of a document: $10 for the first signature, $1 for each additional signature
- Administering an oath or affirmation: $10
- General notarial act not otherwise listed: $10
- Protesting a bill or note: $4
- Copies of records in the notary’s office: $1 per page
These are ceilings. You can charge less, and you cannot charge more.7State of Texas. Texas Code Government Code 406.024 – Fees Charged by Notary Public At $10 per signature, it takes a fair number of jobs to work off your startup costs, which is why most Texas notaries do it as a side service inside an existing job or alongside another business.