Texas Notary Education Overview
Important Update: Effective January 1, 2026, Texas Senate Bill 693 (SB693) creates a NEW mandatory education requirement for all Texas notary applicants. While Texas doesn't have a traditional "exam," you must now complete mandatory education and demonstrate competency.
This is a significant change—previously, Texas had no education or exam requirement for notaries. Under SB693, the Texas Secretary of State is the only approved education provider.
New Requirements at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Provider | Texas Secretary of State (SOS) ONLY |
| Course Length | 2-hour mandatory course |
| Format | Online through SOS website |
| Exam/Assessment | Integrated into education course |
| Application Fee | $21 |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 required |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Journal | Required (NEW under SB693) |
| Record Retention | 10 years (NEW under SB693) |
What Changed Under SB693
Senate Bill 693 made several major changes effective January 1, 2026:
| Change | Before SB693 | After SB693 |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Not required | 2-hour mandatory course |
| Provider | N/A | SOS only |
| Journal | Recommended | REQUIRED |
| Record retention | 5 years | 10 years |
| Criminal penalties | Limited | NEW criminal offense created |
Start Your FREE Texas Notary Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free Texas Notary prep covers everything you need to know, including the new SB693 requirements.
Key Topics You Must Know
1. SB693 Education Requirement (25%)
Mandatory Education:
- 2-hour course from Texas Secretary of State
- Must be completed BEFORE applying
- Covers Texas notary laws and procedures
- Includes assessment of understanding
- Certificate of completion required for application
Important: Only the Texas Secretary of State is authorized to provide this education. Private courses do NOT satisfy the requirement.
Course Access:
- Visit Texas Secretary of State website
- Navigate to Notary Public section
- Complete online education course
- Print certificate of completion
- Submit with notary application
2. Texas Notary Commission Requirements (20%)
Eligibility:
- At least 18 years old
- Texas resident OR regular place of work/business in Texas
- Not convicted of crime involving moral turpitude (or pardoned)
- Able to read and write English
- Complete mandatory education (NEW)
Application Process:
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Complete education | 2-hour SOS course |
| 2. Submit application | To Secretary of State |
| 3. Pay fee | $21 application fee |
| 4. Obtain bond | $10,000 surety bond |
| 5. Take oath | County clerk administers |
| 6. File bond | With county clerk |
| 7. Purchase seal | Must meet Texas requirements |
3. NEW Criminal Penalties Under SB693 (15%)
Critical: SB693 creates a NEW criminal offense for improper notarization:
| Offense | Classification |
|---|---|
| Notarizing when signer did NOT personally appear | Class A misdemeanor |
| Same offense involving real property documents | State jail felony |
Class A Misdemeanor Penalties:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Up to $4,000 fine
- Both jail and fine possible
State Jail Felony Penalties (Real Estate):
- 180 days to 2 years in state jail
- Up to $10,000 fine
- Felony criminal record
Affirmative Defense: There IS an affirmative defense if:
- Signer personally appeared
- Presented apparently valid ID
- Was committing identity fraud
- Fraud could not reasonably be detected
4. Notarial Acts in Texas (25%)
Acknowledgments:
- Most common notarial act
- Signer acknowledges signing willingly
- Signer does NOT need to sign in your presence
- Signer must personally appear
- Used for deeds, contracts, powers of attorney
Jurats:
- Signer must sign IN your presence
- Oath or affirmation administered
- Signer swears contents are true
- Signer must respond ALOUD (not nodding)
- Used for affidavits, sworn statements
Key Differences:
| Feature | Acknowledgment | Jurat |
|---|---|---|
| Oath required | No | Yes |
| Sign in presence | Not required | Required |
| Certificate language | "Acknowledged before me" | "Subscribed and sworn" |
Texas Notary Fees (Maximum):
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment - first signature | $6 |
| Acknowledgment - each additional | $1 |
| Administering oath with certificate | $6 |
| Taking deposition | $6 |
Note: Travel fees are NOT regulated and can be charged separately.
5. Identity Verification (10%)
Acceptable Methods:
- Personal Knowledge — You personally know the signer
- Satisfactory Evidence — Valid government-issued photo ID
Acceptable IDs:
| Primary IDs |
|---|
| Texas driver's license |
| Texas ID card |
| U.S. passport or passport card |
| U.S. military ID |
| Other state driver's license or ID |
ID Must Be:
- Current (not expired)
- Government-issued
- Include photo
- Include signature
When to Refuse:
- ID is expired
- Photo doesn't match signer
- Signs of tampering
- Signer is nervous or evasive
- You cannot verify identity
6. Journal and Record Keeping (10%)
NEW Journal Requirement Under SB693:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Journal | Now REQUIRED (was recommended) |
| Entries | Each notarial act |
| Retention | 10 years (was 5 years) |
| Format | Paper or electronic |
| Security | Must maintain securely |
What to Record:
- Date and time
- Type of notarial act
- Type of document
- Signer name and signature
- How identity was established
- ID type and number
- Fee charged
- Notes or unusual circumstances
7. Remote Online Notarization (RON) (5%)
Texas authorizes both RON and IPEN:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| RON | Signer appears via audio-visual technology |
| IPEN | Signer appears in person, signs electronically |
RON Requirements:
- Texas notary commission (active)
- Additional RON registration with SOS
- Approved technology platform
- Identity verification (credential analysis + KBA)
- Recording of entire session
- 10-year record retention
KBA Requirements:
- Minimum 5 questions
- 80% passing score (4 of 5)
- Questions from credit bureaus/public records
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | SB693 changes and education requirement | 3-4 |
| Week 1-2 | Texas commission process and requirements | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | NEW criminal penalties (critical!) | 3-4 |
| Week 2-3 | Notarial acts and Texas fees | 4-5 |
| Week 3 | Identity verification and journal keeping | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice scenarios and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 20-26 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions covering all SB693 requirements.
Texas-Specific Study Tips
1. Master the NEW Criminal Penalties
The SB693 criminal offense is critical knowledge:
- Know the difference between Class A misdemeanor and state jail felony
- Understand when the offense escalates (real property documents)
- Learn the affirmative defense elements
2. Understand the Fee Schedule
Texas has specific maximum fees:
- $6 for first acknowledgment signature
- $1 for each additional signature
- $6 for oath with certificate
- Travel fees NOT regulated
3. Know Your Journal Requirements
Under SB693:
- Journal is now REQUIRED
- 10-year retention (not 5)
- Record every notarial act
- Maintain securely
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Texas Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bond amount | $10,000 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Education | 2 hours (SOS only) |
| Application fee | $21 |
| Journal retention | 10 years |
| Max fee (first signature) | $6 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking education from wrong provider — Only SOS courses count
- Ignoring new criminal penalties — Serious consequences for violations
- Not keeping a journal — Now required under SB693
- Destroying records too soon — 10-year retention required
- Confusing acknowledgment and jurat — Different procedures
- Exceeding fee maximums — Can result in discipline
After Completing Education
- Print certificate — Proof of SOS education completion
- Complete application — Submit to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee — $21
- Obtain surety bond — $10,000 from licensed surety
- Take oath of office — Administered by county clerk
- File bond with county — Where you reside
- Purchase notary seal — Must meet Texas requirements
- Purchase journal — Now required under SB693
- Begin notarizing — Commission valid 4 years
2026 Texas Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- NEW SB693 requirements effective January 1, 2026
- Mandatory 2-hour education from SOS only
- NEW criminal penalties for improper notarization
- 10-year record retention requirement
- Expanded Remote Online Notarization
Start Your Texas Notary Career Today
The Texas notary requirements have changed significantly under SB693. With proper preparation, you can complete the mandatory education and start your notary career.
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete SB693 coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ Texas law specifics (Government Code)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.