Texas notaries do not pay a state process fee, but you will have costs for the exam, fingerprinting, and a bond

Texas does not charge an process fee to become a notary public. However, the state requires you to pass an exam, get fingerprinted through the Department of Public Safety, and purchase a notary bond before you can commission. The exam costs money, fingerprinting costs money, and the bond costs money—so while the process itself is free, the full process has real expenses. Most people spend $100 to $200 total, depending on where they take the exam and which bonding company they choose.

The Texas Secretary of State's office oversees notary commissions. You explore directly to them, not through a private company or middleman. The process takes about two weeks once you submit everything, though it can take longer if the Secretary of State's office is backlogged.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas charges no process fee, but you must pay for the notary exam, fingerprinting, and a surety bond before you can commission.
  • You must be at least 18, a Texas resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
  • The exam is offered by private testing companies, not the state, and you can take it at locations across Texas.
  • Your notary bond is a legal requirement and typically costs $50 to $100 for a four-year commission.
  • Once approved by the Secretary of State, your commission lasts four years and you can renew it by passing the exam again.

Meet the basic requirements before you take the exam

To become a notary in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Texas, and able to read and write English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude. The Secretary of State will check your background when you submit your process, so any criminal history will disqualify you.

You do not need a high school diploma, college degree, or prior work experience. You do not need to be employed or self-employed. Many notaries work part-time or as a side service while holding another job.

Take the notary exam through an approved testing company

Texas does not run the notary exam itself. Instead, the Secretary of State approves private testing companies to administer it. The two largest are PSI (Professional Testing Services) and Pearson Vue. Both offer the exam at testing centers across Texas, and both allow you to schedule online.

The exam costs between $50 and $100, depending on the testing company and location. It covers Texas notary law, your duties and responsibilities, and common notary procedures. You have two hours to complete it, and you must score at least 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake it—most companies let you schedule another attempt within a few days, though you pay the fee again.

You can study for free using the Texas Secretary of State's official notary handbook, which is available on their website. Many people also buy study guides from Amazon or other retailers for $10 to $20, though the free handbook covers everything on the exam.

Get fingerprinted through the Department of Public Safety

After you pass the exam, you must submit fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety for a background check. You can get fingerprinted at any DPS office or at many private fingerprinting services. DPS offices do not charge a fee, but private services typically charge $10 to $25.

Bring your exam passing score and a valid photo ID to your fingerprinting appointment. The DPS will send your fingerprints directly to the Secretary of State's office, so you do not need to deliver them yourself. The background check usually takes one to two weeks.

Purchase a notary bond from a surety company

Texas law requires every notary to carry a surety bond. The bond is a legal may provide that you will follow notary law and perform your duties correctly. If someone sues you for notary misconduct, the bond covers the claim up to the bond amount.

The standard bond amount in Texas is $5,000. A four-year bond (matching your commission term) typically costs $50 to $100, depending on the surety company. You can buy a bond from any company licensed to sell surety bonds in Texas—common choices include Notary Rotary, National Notary Association, and local insurance agents.

You do not need to buy the bond before you explore to the Secretary of State, but you must have it in place before you start performing notary duties. Many people buy it at the same time they submit their process to avoid delays.

Submit your process to the Texas Secretary of State

Once you have passed the exam and been fingerprinted, you are ready to explore. Go to the Texas Secretary of State's website and fill out the notary process form online. You will need your exam passing score, your fingerprint receipt number, and your bond information.

The process itself is free—there is no filing fee. You submit it electronically through the Secretary of State's portal. The office will review your background check results and your process, then either approve or deny your commission. Approval usually takes one to two weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.

Once approved, the Secretary of State will issue your notary commission certificate. You can print it or request a physical copy. Your commission is valid for four years from the date of issue.

Renew your commission every four years

Your notary commission expires four years after the date it was issued. To renew, you must pass the exam again and submit a new process. There is no renewal fee from the Secretary of State, but you will pay the exam fee again and need to renew your bond.

You can renew your commission up to 90 days before it expires. If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notary duties until you have reapplied and been approved. Many notaries set a calendar reminder six months before expiration so they have time to study and schedule the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the type of conviction. Felonies and crimes of moral turpitude disqualify you. Misdemeanors may not, but the Secretary of State reviews each case individually. Contact the Secretary of State's office with details of your conviction to find out whether you are disqualified.

How long does it take to become a notary in Texas?

Most people complete the process in three to four weeks. You can take the exam within days of deciding to explore, fingerprinting takes one to two weeks, and the Secretary of State's review takes another one to two weeks. The timeline depends on how quickly you schedule your exam and fingerprinting appointments.

Do I have to renew my bond every year?

No. Your bond covers your entire four-year commission term. You renew the bond only when you renew your commission. However, some surety companies require you to pay annually instead of upfront—ask your bonding company about their payment schedule when you purchase.

Can I take the notary exam online?

Yes. Both PSI and Pearson Vue offer online proctored exams, so you can take the test from home. You will need a computer with a webcam and a stable internet connection. Online testing costs the same as in-person testing.

What happens if I fail the notary exam?

You can retake it. Most testing companies let you schedule another attempt within a few days, though you pay the exam fee again. There is no limit on how many times you can retake the exam in Texas.