Texas Notary Bond: Requirements, Cost & Renewal Guide

Obtain Your Texas Notary Bond Online

Prefer a quick summary before you apply? View the Texas Notary Bond application page.

Texas notaries must maintain a $10,000 Texas Notary Bond as part of the state’s commissioning process. Specifically, the Texas Secretary of State requires this bond under Texas Government Code 406.010. Your commission lasts four years, and your bond covers that full term. As a result, applicants and renewing notaries should have their bond in place before they submit their application. This guide also explains how to become a notary in Texas, from the bond to every other step.

Understanding your bonding requirements can help you avoid licensing delays and remain compliant with Texas law.

At American Surety Bonds Agency, qualified applicants can purchase this bond online through our Instant Issue platform. This makes it fast and easy to meet the state’s bonding requirements.

Obtain Your Texas Notary Bond Online

The Texas Notary Bond goes by several names depending on where you look.
You may also see it called:

• Texas Notary Public Bond
• Texas Notary Surety Bond
• Notary Public Surety Bond

In other words, these all refer to the same $10,000 surety bond described on this page. Texas Notary Bond is simply the common name used across the industry, and the official bond form itself is titled Texas Notary Public Surety Bond (Form 2301-B).

The table below summarizes the bond requirements set by Texas law and the Texas Secretary of State.

The Texas Notary Bond is a $10,000 surety bond required by the Texas Secretary of State for notaries who serve the public.

Because notaries handle important documents, this bond helps protect the public by guaranteeing that notaries faithfully perform their duties under Texas Government Code 406.010 and the Texas Secretary of State’s rules for notarial acts.

If a notary fails to perform those duties or causes a covered financial loss, the injured person may file a claim against the bond. In turn, the bond provides financial protection for the public while helping maintain professional standards among Texas notaries.

You must obtain this bond if you are:

• A new applicant seeking a notary commission from the Texas Secretary of State
• A current Texas notary renewing your commission

Whichever applies to you, you must pass the Texas Secretary of State notary education requirement before you apply. However, Texas law does not require the bond for a person who performs notary services primarily as a state officer or state employee.

Texans rely on notaries to verify identities and witness documents such as deeds, contracts, and affidavits, so a single notary error can cost someone real money.

As a result, by requiring notaries to maintain a surety bond, Texas helps:

• Protect the public from financial losses caused by notary errors
• Hold notaries accountable to Texas notary law
• Promote trust in the documents notaries certify

Ultimately, by maintaining an active surety bond, Texas notaries demonstrate their commitment to following the law and protecting the people they serve.

Getting your Texas notary commission takes five steps:

1. Meet the Texas notary requirements. Before you apply, confirm that you are a Texas resident, at least 18 years old, and have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
2. Complete the notary education requirement. Create an SOS Portal account, then complete the Texas Secretary of State notary education course and pass its assessment.
3. Obtain your $10,000 Texas Notary Bond. After you pay, the bonding company files your bond and notary application with the Texas Secretary of State electronically, so you don’t have to submit them yourself. See How to Get Your Texas Notary Bond below for each step.
4. Review and sign your Texas notary application. Watch for the Secretary of State’s email, then log in to the SOS Portal, confirm that your information is correct, and sign your application within 90 days.
5. Download and sign your commission. After approval, the portal allows only one download, so save the file. Then sign your commission under oath in front of a notary public or other authorized official before you begin notarizing.

Because the Secretary of State sends only one email notification, use an email address you check often. Otherwise, an unsigned application expires after 90 days. Texas also requires a notary seal and record book before you notarize, and you can add both when you complete your bond application with us.

Through our Instant Issue platform, the premium starts as low as $50 for the four-year term. Your premium may vary depending on the information provided during the application process. We also collect the $21 Texas Secretary of State filing fee with your bond, and the portal displays your final bond information and premium due before you complete payment.

Because your Texas notary commission is in effect for four years, your bond covers that same four-year term.

For a Texas notary renewal, the Secretary of State accepts your application no earlier than 90 days before your commission expires, so obtain your new bond within that window. Although bonds are issued within minutes through our Instant Issue platform, American Surety Bonds Agency recommends obtaining your bond early enough to sign your renewal application in the Texas Secretary of State portal before your commission expires.

The Texas Notary Bond is available through our secure Instant Issue platform:

1. Start your Texas Notary Bond application through our secure Instant Issue platform after you pass the Texas Secretary of State notary education assessment.
2. Enter Your Information. Provide the required details to complete your bond application.
3. Pay Securely. Pay for your bond by credit card.
4. Download Your Bond. Instantly download your bond, then sign your application in the Texas Secretary of State portal as described above.

Once your bond is in place and your application is signed, the Secretary of State can review it and issue your Texas notary commission.

American Surety Bonds Agency has been helping individuals and businesses meet their surety bond requirements for decades. Whether you’re applying for your first Texas notary commission or renewing an existing one, our experienced team is here to help make the bonding process simple and efficient.

When you choose American Surety Bonds Agency, you’ll receive:

• Instant Issue available for qualified applicants
• Competitive rates
• Fast online application
• Fast turnaround
• Experienced surety professionals available to answer questions

Above all, we’re committed to helping individuals and businesses obtain the bonds they need with responsive service and experienced guidance every step of the way.

American Surety Bonds Agency makes obtaining your Notary Bond simple, competitive, and hassle-free.

Apply today and keep your notary commission in good standing.

Obtain Your Texas Notary Bond Application!

Explore Texas Surety Bonds

We offer a wide variety of Texas commercial surety bonds for contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and many other licensed businesses and professionals.

Whether you need one bond or several, our experienced team is here to help.

Explore All Texas Surety Bonds

Need a Texas Certificate of Title Bond?

If a vehicle, vessel, or mobile home title has been lost, damaged, or is otherwise unavailable, Texas may require a Certificate of Title Bond before a replacement title can be issued.

Get started with our Instant Issue Texas Certificate of Title Bond Application, available for bond amounts up to $50,000, and a member of our team will help you get the bond in place quickly.

Start Your Texas Certificate of Title Bond Application

Need an ERISA Bond?

Retirement plan fiduciaries and administrators are required under federal law to maintain an ERISA fidelity bond to help protect plan funds from fraud or dishonesty.

Our Instant Issue ERISA Bond Application covers single-employer retirement plans with bond amounts up to $500,000, and a team member will help you determine the right coverage amount.

Start your ERISA Bond Application

Need a Bid Bond or Payment & Performance Bond?

American Surety Bonds Agency helps contractors obtain Bid Bonds and Payment & Performance Bonds for public and private construction projects.

Complete our Fast Track Contract Bond Application to get started, and a member of our contract bond team will contact you to discuss your project and bonding requirements.

Start the Fast Track Contract Bond Application

Complete our simple online application, or speak with one of our surety specialists today.

American Surety Bonds Agency proudly serves individuals and businesses nationwide with fast approvals, competitive rates, and responsive service.

American Surety can also assist you with any of your other bonding needs, as we are licensed in all 50 states. Call us today at (404) 486-2355 or our toll-free number (877) 201-8976 or you can visit our website suretybondsagency.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!