Notary Public
Our new SOS Notary Portal has launched!
Need an SOS Portal account? SOS Portal is the hub for all our new agency online services. You will need an SOS Portal account to access the SOS Notary Portal.You are now be able to:
- Submit or renew a notary application.
- Check the status of your submission.
- Submit name and address changes.
- Pay online.
- File or respond to a notary complaint.
For details on our modernization program, visit our SOS Modernization page.
Notary Public Eligibility Requirements
To become a notary public in Texas, you must:- Be a Texas Resident;
- Be at least 18 years of age; and
- Maintain no convictions for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (theft, various misdemeanors).
How to Apply
+ Traditional Notary Public
A Traditional Notary Public is a public officer of the state commissioned by the Office of the Texas Secretary of State that administers oaths, takes acknowledgments, witness(es) signatures, and performs other duties as permitted by law, for paper (tangible) documents.
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs.
Step 2: Review our Notary Education Materials.
Step 3: Start Your Training.
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) on how to Submit a Traditional Notary Application to become a Notary Public.
NOTE: If you are completing an application submitted by your bonding agency, please review these instructions (PDF).
Step 5: Obtain proof of a Notary Public Surety Bond from a Texas licensed bonding company.
Please note, this form must be completed by a licensed surety bond agency.
Step 6: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in our SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs.
Step 2: Review our Notary Education Materials.
Step 3: Start Your Training.
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) on how to Submit a Traditional Notary Application to become a Notary Public.
NOTE: If you are completing an application submitted by your bonding agency, please review these instructions (PDF).
Step 5: Obtain proof of a Notary Public Surety Bond from a Texas licensed bonding company.
Please note, this form must be completed by a licensed surety bond agency.
Step 6: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in our SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
- Copies of the court order and sentencing paperwork for any criminal convictions.
- A written or typed statement describing the nature, circumstance, date, and location of each conviction.
+ Online Notary Public
An Online Notary Public is a public officer of the state commissioned by the Office of the Texas Secretary of State that has the same authority as a traditional notary and can perform online notarizations through a secure two-way video and audio conferences that meets all legal requirements.
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs
Step 2: Review our Online Notary Education Materials
Step 3: Start Your Training
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) on how to Submit an Application to become an Online (RON) Notary Public
Step 5: Obtain a x.509 compliant digital certificate and an electronic seal from a third party company; to learn more about this process please visit our Getting Started page.
Step 6: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs
Step 2: Review our Online Notary Education Materials
Step 3: Start Your Training
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) on how to Submit an Application to become an Online (RON) Notary Public
Step 5: Obtain a x.509 compliant digital certificate and an electronic seal from a third party company; to learn more about this process please visit our Getting Started page.
Step 6: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
- Copies of the court order and sentencing paperwork for any criminal convictions
- A written or typed statement describing the nature, circumstance, date, and location of each conviction
+ State Employee Notary Public
A State Employee Notary Public is a traditional notary who is employed by a state agency, or university. State Employee Notaries cannot notarize for the public and can only perform notarizations for their state agency.
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs
Step 2: Review our Notary Education Materials
Step 3: Start Your Training
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) for State Employees on how to Submit an Application to become a Notary Public
Step 5: Complete the SORM-203 Acknowledgement Form
Step 6: Obtain the Interagency Voucher (ITV) to pay for the application
Step 7: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
Step 1: Review our Notary FAQs
Step 2: Review our Notary Education Materials
Step 3: Start Your Training
Step 4: Review our instructions (PDF) for State Employees on how to Submit an Application to become a Notary Public
Step 5: Complete the SORM-203 Acknowledgement Form
Step 6: Obtain the Interagency Voucher (ITV) to pay for the application
Step 7: Submit the Application to become a Notary Public in SOS Portal system.
If applicable, you may be required to submit the following with your application:
- Copies of the court order and sentencing paperwork for any criminal convictions
- A written or typed statement describing the nature, circumstance, date, and location of each conviction
After You Apply
- After submitting your application in our online system, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Once your application is processed by our Office, we will send you an email notification.
- If approved:
- The email will include instructions for accessing the SOS Portal Notary system to download your commission.
- You must sign your Notary Public Commission under oath in the presence of a notary public, or authorized official.
Note: A notary public cannot execute their own commission. - If denied/rejected:
- The email will include information and instructions on next steps to reapply or appeal the decision.
Manage Your Commission (PDF)
Request Replacement Commission (PDF) | Update Mailing Address (PDF) | Update Digital/Electronic Seal (PDF) | Update Name (PDF)
Notary Complaints
A person harmed by the actions of a Texas notary public may file a complaint with the Office. The Office of the Texas Secretary of State may take disciplinary action against a Texas notary public in cases where good cause exist. Avoid receiving disciplinary action or a complaint by reviewing the Texas Government Code §406, Civil Practice and Remedies Code §121, and/or Texas Administrative Code Title 1 Chapter 87.To learn more or file a compliant against a notary public, please vist the Notary Compliants webpage.
