Last updated: June 29, 2026. Based on Texas Government Code Section 406.024, Section 406.111 (online notarization), and Secretary of State guidance.
Texas Notary Fees: Quick Answer
Texas sets maximum fees that notaries public may charge for each notarial act under Texas Government Code Section 406.024. The key figures for 2026:
- $10 for most notarial acts (acknowledgments, oaths, certificates under seal)
- $1 per additional signature on the same instrument
- Up to $25 additional for online notarization, under Section 406.111, on top of the regular fee
- Notaries may charge less or waive fees entirely — these are caps, not mandatory charges
These maximum fees did not change in 2026. Senate Bill 693 (effective January 1, 2026) added education and record-retention rules but left every dollar amount in Section 406.024 untouched. Texas also does not regulate travel or mileage fees; those are agreed upon separately between the notary and the signer.
Complete Texas Notary Fee Schedule (2026)
The table below shows every fee authorized by Texas Government Code Section 406.024, plus the online-notarization fee set by Section 406.111.
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment or proof of deed (first signature) | $10 |
| Each additional signature on same instrument | $1 |
| Administering oath or affirmation with certificate and seal | $10 |
| Certificate under seal not otherwise provided for | $10 |
| Notarial act not otherwise provided for | $10 |
| Copy of record or paper in notary's office | $1 per page |
| Taking deposition of witness | $1 per 100 words |
| Swearing witness to deposition | $10 |
| Protesting bill or note for nonacceptance or nonpayment, register and seal | $4 |
| Each notice of protest | $1 |
| Protesting in all other cases | $4 |
| Certificate and seal to a protest | $4 |
| Online notarization (Section 406.111, additional on top of regular fee) | Up to $25 |
Important Notes on Fee Rules
- These are maximums, not requirements. A Texas notary may choose to charge less than the maximum or notarize for free. Many banks, libraries, and employer-sponsored notaries provide free notarization.
- Travel fees are separate. Texas law does not set or regulate travel or mileage charges. If a mobile notary charges for travel, this must be disclosed and agreed upon by the signer before the appointment.
- Fee disclosure is required. If you charge fees, you must post them prominently so signers can see the charges before the notarial act.
- Online notarization is additive. The up to $25 online notarization fee is charged in addition to the regular notarial fee. For example, an online acknowledgment of one signature could cost up to $35 ($10 acknowledgment + $25 online fee). The $25 covers identity verification and secure electronic storage of the notarization record.
Fees Are Adjusted for Inflation Every Five Years
A detail most fee guides miss: Section 406.024 directs the Secretary of State, once every five years, to adjust these maximum fees by the inflation rate the Comptroller determines from the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. No adjustment has taken effect for 2026, so the $10 / $1 / $25 figures above remain current. Always confirm the live schedule on the Secretary of State notary page before relying on it.
Texas Notary Fee Comparison by State
How do Texas notary fees compare to other large states?
| State | Acknowledgment Fee | Online Notarization Extra | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $10 | Up to $25 | Additional signatures $1 each |
| California | $15 | Not separately set | $15 per signature per document |
| Florida | $10 | Up to $25 | Same base fee as Texas |
| New York | $2 | Up to $25 | Lowest base fee among major states |
| Illinois | $1 | Not separately set | Very low statutory fee |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | Not separately set | Moderate fee |
| Ohio | $5 | Up to $25 | Moderate base with online add-on |
| Georgia | $2 per document | Not set | Per document, not per signature |
Texas sits in the middle-to-upper range nationally for acknowledgment fees. The $10 base fee is shared with Florida, while California charges $15 and New York charges only $2.
What Changed in 2026: SB 693 New Requirements
Senate Bill 693 (89th Legislature) was signed in 2025 and applies to notary appointment and reappointment applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. It introduced these changes — note that none of them changed the fee schedule above:
| Requirement | Before SB 693 | After SB 693 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Education course | None required | Up to 2 hours of Secretary of State education required |
| Record book (journal) | Already required under Sec. 406.014 | Still required; now tied to retention rule |
| Record retention | No fixed statutory period | 10-year retention of records (Sec. 406.014) |
| Notarial fees | $10 / $1 / $25 caps | Unchanged |
Important correction many guides get wrong: SB 693 did not create the record book. Texas notaries have always had to keep a record book of every notarial act under Government Code Section 406.014. What SB 693 added is the 10-year retention period and made failure to retain records grounds for rejection or revocation of a commission. SB 693 also requires education only — the statute caps it at two hours and does not mandate a separate pass/fail examination.
Who Must Comply
SB 693's education requirement applies to applications for appointment or reappointment submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Notaries appointed before September 1, 2025 are not subject to the new initial-appointment education until they reapply or renew.
What the SOS Education Course Covers
The Secretary of State course (capped at two hours and accessed through the SOS Notary Portal) covers:
- Texas notary law and duties
- Proper identification of signers
- Maintaining the notary record book
- Fee schedules and disclosure requirements
- Liability and consequences of misconduct
- Online notarization rules
Record Book Requirements
Every Texas notary must maintain a record book (physical or electronic) of each notarial act, recording at minimum:
- Date of each notarial act
- Type of notarial act performed
- Name and address of each signer
- How the signer was identified
- The fee charged (if any)
Under SB 693, these records must be retained for 10 years after the date of the notarization.
Mobile Notary Travel Fees: What to Know
Texas law is silent on travel or mileage charges, which means:
- Notaries can charge for travel as a separate, negotiated fee
- The fee must be disclosed and agreed upon before the appointment
- Travel fees are not capped by statute
- Travel fees must not be disguised as notarial fees
Reasonable Travel Fee Guidelines
While not legally mandated, most professional mobile notaries use the IRS mileage rate as a baseline:
| Year | IRS Standard Mileage Rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.70 per mile |
| 2024 | $0.67 per mile |
| 2023 | $0.655 per mile |
A common approach: round-trip mileage from the notary's office to the signing location, multiplied by the current IRS rate. Some mobile notaries charge a flat travel fee within a certain radius and mileage beyond that.
Best Practices for Mobile Notaries
- Quote the total fee upfront — notarial fee + travel fee, broken out separately
- Get written confirmation (text or email) that the client agrees to the travel charge
- Keep records of travel charges in your notary journal
- Never bundle fees — the notarial fee and travel fee must be itemized separately
How to Become a Texas Notary in 2026
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a Texas notary, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Texas resident (or maintain a place of business in Texas)
- Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude
- Not have had a notary commission revoked in any state
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State filing fee | $21 | Required with application |
| 2-hour SOS education course | Varies (often free or $25-$75) | New SB 693 requirement |
| $10,000 surety bond | Bond premium varies | Typically $50-$100 for 4-year term |
| Notary seal (stamp) | $15-$40 | Required to perform acts |
| Notary journal | $10-$25 | Now mandatory under SB 693 |
| Optional E&O insurance | Varies | Protects the notary, not the public |
| Total estimated cost | $100-$250 | Depends on provider choices |
Application Steps
- Complete the 2-hour SOS course — new requirement under SB 693
- Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a licensed surety company
- Complete the Notary Public Application (Form 2301) from the Secretary of State
- Submit application, bond, and $21 filing fee to the Secretary of State
- Receive your commission certificate — processing typically takes 2-3 weeks
- Purchase your notary seal and journal — you cannot perform acts without both
- File your oath of office with the county clerk where you reside
Commission Term
Texas notary commissions are valid for 4 years from the date of issuance. Renewal requires repeating the application process, including the SOS education course.
Common Mistakes That Cost Texas Notaries Money
1. Overcharging for Notarial Acts
Charging more than the statutory maximum is a violation. Each instance can result in complaints to the Secretary of State and potential commission revocation.
2. Not Disclosing Fees
If you charge fees, they must be posted or disclosed before performing the act. Surprise fees are prohibited.
3. Failing to Keep the Mandatory Record Book
Texas notaries have always had to keep a record book under Section 406.014, and SB 693 now requires retaining those records for 10 years. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action and undermines your legal protection if a notarization is challenged.
4. Bundling Travel and Notarial Fees
Travel fees must be separate from notarial fees. Combining them into one charge can create the appearance of overcharging for the notarial act itself.
5. Not Completing the SOS Course Before Applying
SB 693 makes the education course mandatory. Submitting an application without proof of course completion will result in rejection and lost filing fees.
How Much Can a Texas Notary Earn?
Notary income varies widely based on services offered and volume:
| Service | Typical Fee | Volume Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Standard acknowledgment | $10 per act | High (banks, offices) |
| Loan signing agent | $75-$200 per signing | Moderate (requires training) |
| Mobile notary (travel + acts) | $50-$150 per appointment | Moderate |
| Online notarization | $25-$35 per act | Growing rapidly |
| Depositions | $1 per 100 words + $10 oath | Niche market |
Full-time mobile notaries and loan signing agents in Texas typically earn $30,000-$75,000 per year, depending on marketing, service area, and specialization.
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