How to Become an Online Notary in Texas

Texas allows commissioned notaries to perform Remote Online Notarizations, commonly called RON. Instead of meeting a signer in person, an authorized Texas online notary can communicate with the signer through approved two-way audio and video technology and complete the notarization electronically.

Texas has also updated its notary application process. Notary education is now required, applications are handled through the Texas Secretary of State's SOS Notary Portal, and online notary applicants must have the required electronic credentials before completing their application.

Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the Texas Notary Requirements

Before becoming an online notary, you must qualify as a traditional Texas Notary Public.

Generally, a Texas notary applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a resident of Texas.
• Meet the Texas Secretary of State's eligibility requirements.
• Not have disqualifying criminal convictions under Texas notary law.

If you already have an active Texas Notary Public commission, you can move directly to the online notary requirements below.

If you're starting from scratch, you'll first need to complete the required traditional notary education, obtain the required $10,000 surety bond, submit your traditional notary application, and receive your commission.

Step 2: Hold an Active Traditional Texas Notary Commission

Every Texas online notary applicant must already hold a current and unexpired traditional Texas Notary Public commission.

You will also need your Texas notary identification information when completing your online notary application.

When it is time to renew, your traditional notary commission should be renewed before renewing your online notary authorization.

Step 3: Complete the Required Texas Online Notary Education

Texas now requires online notary applicants and renewing online notaries to successfully complete the state's Online Notary Education Course.

The course is available through the Texas Secretary of State's SOS Notary Portal.

Applicants must successfully complete the required education before applying for or renewing a Texas online notary commission.

If you find older websites stating that Texas does not require online notary training, be aware that those resources may be outdated.

Step 4: Get a Digital Certificate and Electronic Notary Seal

Before submitting your online notary application, you'll need electronic credentials that can be used when notarizing documents online.

Digital Certificate

Texas requires an online notary's digital certificate to meet applicable Public Key Infrastructure, or PKI, requirements. The certificate must be associated with the commissioned notary and must support a tamper-evident electronic notarization process.

Texas checks digital certificates submitted through its online application system for requirements such as certificate validity, identity information, expiration, trust chain, and X.509 compliance.

Electronic Notary Seal

You'll also need an electronic Texas notary seal containing required commission information, such as your commissioned name, jurisdiction, notary identification number, and commission expiration date.

Step 5: Choose Technology That Meets Texas RON Requirements

Remote online notarization requires more than an ordinary video call.

A Texas online notarization uses interactive two-way audio and video technology so the notary and signer can communicate in real time.

Depending on the transaction, the technology may also support:

• Signer identity verification.
• Credential analysis of government-issued identification.
• Knowledge-based authentication, or KBA.
• Electronic document signing.
• Application of the notary's digital certificate and electronic seal.
• Audio-video session recording.
• Secure electronic record retention.

When identity proofing and credential analysis are required, Texas rules require those processes to comply with the state's applicable standards.

Texas online notaries must also maintain required electronic records and recordings. Audio-video records generally must be retained for five years following the notarization.

Step 6: Apply for Your Texas Online Notary Commission

Once you have your active traditional Texas commission, completed online notary education, digital certificate, and electronic seal, you can apply for your online notary commission.

Applications are submitted through the Texas Secretary of State SOS Notary Portal.

The application process generally includes:

1. Logging into the Texas SOS Notary Portal.
2. Confirming your traditional Texas notary commission information.
3. Completing the required online notary education.
4. Providing the requested eligibility and commission information.
5. Downloading the required Statement of Officer.
6. Digitally signing the document using your qualifying digital certificate.
7. Uploading the signed document.
8. Uploading your electronic notary seal.
9. Reviewing and electronically signing your application.
10. Paying the required application fee.

After submission, the Texas Secretary of State will review your application and notify you of its status.

Step 7: Complete Your Commission and Set Up Your Online Notary Business

Once your online notary application is approved, follow the Texas Secretary of State's instructions for accessing and completing your commission.

Your commission certificate must be properly executed according to Texas requirements. A notary cannot notarize their own commission.

Before accepting online notarization appointments, make sure you have your technology, electronic credentials, recordkeeping process, and any insurance required by your chosen platform in place.

What About E&O Insurance?

Errors and Omissions insurance, commonly called E&O insurance, is different from the Texas surety bond.

The surety bond is designed to protect the public. E&O insurance is intended to provide protection to the notary against certain covered mistakes or claims.

Texas does not list a separate E&O insurance policy as a state requirement for obtaining an online notary commission.

What Happens During a Texas Online Notarization?

Once commissioned, a Texas Online Notary Public can perform authorized electronic notarizations through compliant remote notarization technology.

One important Texas rule is that the notary must be physically located in Texas at the time of the online notarization.

The signer, however, may be located somewhere else. Depending on the document and transaction, this can allow a Texas online notary to serve signers located elsewhere in Texas, another state, or potentially outside the United States.

The notarization must still comply with Texas law and any other laws or requirements applicable to the document or transaction.

How Much Can a Texas Online Notary Charge?

Texas allows an online notary or the notary's employer to charge an additional online notarization fee of up to $25, in addition to the ordinary notarial fees permitted under Texas law.

Notaries should always review the latest Texas fee rules before setting or advertising their fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Become an Online Notary in Texas?

Your total cost depends on whether you already hold an active Texas notary commission.

Someone starting from scratch should expect at least $111 in currently listed Texas education and application fees, before the cost of the surety bond, digital certificate, electronic seal, RON technology, insurance, and any applicable payment or portal fees.

Do You Need Another Surety Bond for a Texas Online Notary Commission?

No. Your traditional Texas Notary Public commission requires the applicable surety bond, but Texas does not require an additional separate surety bond solely because you become an online notary.

How Long Must Texas Online Notaries Keep Their Records?

Texas online notaries are generally required to retain the original audio-video recording of an online notarization and a backup for five years after the notarization.

Records may be stored through qualifying third-party technology, but the notary must maintain the access and control required under Texas law.

Texas Online Notary Checklist

Ready to Become an Online Notary in Texas?

Becoming a Texas online notary requires a few additional steps beyond receiving your traditional commission, but it can give you significantly more flexibility in how you serve your clients.

Start by making sure your traditional Texas notary commission is active. Then complete the required online notary education, obtain your digital certificate and electronic seal, and apply for your online commission through the Texas Secretary of State.

Once you're commissioned, a remote online notarization platform such as Online Notary Center can help you bring your existing clients online, schedule sessions, verify signers, conduct remote appointments, and complete notarizations through a secure online workflow.