1.3 Commission Term and Renewal
Key Takeaways
- Texas notary commissions are valid for 4 years, statewide, with the $10,000 bond running concurrently
- There is NO grace period - any notarization after expiration is unauthorized and void
- Renewal applications may begin up to 90 days before expiration
- Renewing notaries must also complete the SB 693 course and exam, file a new bond, and order a new seal
- Under SB 693 notaries must retain notary records for 10 years after the notarization (RON records remain 5 years)
Commission Term and Renewal
A Texas notary commission is a fixed-length appointment, not an open-ended license. Knowing exactly how long it lasts, when authority ends, and what a renewal now requires under SB 693 is heavily tested — and getting the "no grace period" rule wrong has real consequences for every document you touch near expiration.
The Four-Year Term
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years from the qualification date |
| Effective date | The date shown on your commission certificate |
| Jurisdiction | Statewide — valid anywhere in Texas |
| Bond term | The $10,000 bond runs concurrently (4 years) |
Your authority to notarize exists only during the four-year window printed on the commission. The bond is tied to the same dates, so when the commission lapses, the bond coverage lapses with it. A Texas notary may notarize anywhere in the state — there is no county-by-county limitation — but cannot notarize outside Texas under the Texas commission.
No Grace Period — The Hard Rule
This is the most important renewal fact in the chapter: Texas has no grace period. The instant your commission expires, you lose all authority. There is no automatic extension, no 30-day cushion, and no "the renewal is in the mail" exception.
| Scenario | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Notarize after the expiration date | The act is unauthorized / void — the notary had no authority |
| Renewal still processing on expiration day | You cannot notarize until the new commission issues |
| You let the commission fully lapse | You must apply again as a new applicant (full SB 693 course + exam + bond) |
A notarization performed by an expired notary is treated as if performed by someone who was never commissioned — the certificate is invalid, which can stall a real-estate closing or void an affidavit. Worse, knowingly acting without a valid commission can expose you to civil liability and discipline. Worked example: A notary's commission expired on a Tuesday; on Wednesday she notarizes a power of attorney believing her renewal "is being processed." Because there is no grace period, that notarization is void and may have to be redone by a currently commissioned notary.
Renewal Requirements Under SB 693
Renewing is not lighter than a first commission. Because SB 693 applies to any application filed on or after January 1, 2026, a renewing notary must do essentially everything a new applicant does.
| Requirement | New notary | Renewing notary |
|---|---|---|
| SOS education course (up to 2 hrs) | Required | Required |
| SOS exam (20 Q, 70% to pass) | Required | Required |
| Form 2301 + oath | Required | Required |
| $21 filing fee | Required | Required |
| New $10,000 surety bond | Required | Required (the old bond expires) |
| New official seal | N/A | Required — must show the new expiration date |
A renewal commission carries new dates, so your old seal (with the old expiration) can no longer be used; order a seal reflecting the new commission once it issues. Note the dates do not simply roll forward from the old expiration — they run from the new qualification date.
Recommended Renewal Timeline
You may begin a renewal up to 90 days before expiration. Start early — between the education/exam, securing a new bond, and SOS review, last-minute filers risk a coverage gap.
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| 90 days out | Begin: take the SOS course and pass the exam |
| 60 days out | Obtain the new $10,000 bond (Form 2301-B) |
| 45 days out | File Form 2301, upload the bond, pay $21 |
| Before expiration | Confirm the new commission has issued |
| On the new commission | Order the new seal; resume notarizing |
Records, Seal, and Name/Address Changes
SB 693 strengthened recordkeeping. Notaries must retain their notary records for ten (10) years after the date of the notarization — a duty doubled from the prior 5-year standard — and failure to maintain records is now express "good cause" for discipline. This retention duty survives the end of your commission. One nuance the exam may test: remote online notarization (RON) records remain on a 5-year retention rule under existing law, creating a deliberate split between traditional (10 years) and RON (5 years) records.
| Event | What you must do |
|---|---|
| Address change during term | Notify the Secretary of State promptly (commonly within ~10 days) |
| Name change during term | File the change with the SOS and obtain a new seal in the corrected name |
| End of commission (not renewing) | Keep your record book 10 years; deface/destroy the seal so it cannot be misused |
Exam Focus Points
- Commission term: 4 years, statewide, bond runs concurrently
- No grace period — acts after expiration are void
- Renewals on/after Jan 1, 2026 still require the SB 693 course and exam plus a new bond and new seal
- A fully lapsed commission means reapplying as a new applicant
- Retain traditional notary records 10 years; RON records 5 years
How long is a Texas notary commission valid?
What is the consequence of notarizing documents after your Texas commission has expired?
Under SB 693, how long must a Texas notary retain traditional notary records after a notarization?