Become a Notary

What is a Notary?

A notary is a legally authorized official who acts as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring their authenticity and preventing fraud. Notaries verify the identity of signers, confirm their willingness to sign without coercion, and ensure they understand the document's content. Common notarial acts include witnessing signatures on legal documents, administering oaths, and certifying copies of official papers. Notaries play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of legal transactions, making them an essential part of the legal and business communities.

Here are the key steps to become a notary public in the State of Texas:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a legal resident of Texas
• Have no felony convictions or convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude
• Not have had a professional license revoked or suspended for misconduct
• Fill out the online application on the Texas Secretary of State website
• Provide personal information and answer questions about your background
• Secure a  minimum $10,000 surety bond from an insurance company or bonding agency
• Pay the required fees (Application fee and Bond filing fee)
• Sign and take the oath of office
• Obtain a notary seal or stamp
• Get a notary record book to log all notarial acts
• Complete a notary training course (While not required in Texas, this can help you understand your duties and responsibilities)
  
• Begin performing notarial acts (Your commission is valid for four years. You can start notarizing documents once you have your commission and supplies)
  

How to become a Remote Online Notary (RON)

To become a Remote Online Notary (RON) in Texas, you must first be a traditional notary public. Assuming you're already a commissioned notary in Texas, here are the steps to become a Remote Online Notary:

1. Meet additional eligibility requirements: Be a current Texas notary public in good standing
   Have a valid digital certificate from a state-approved provider
   
2. Complete an online application: Log in to the Texas Secretary of State's notary website
   Select the option to apply for an online notary public commission
   
3. Pay the required fee: Current fee is $50 for the online notary public commission
   
4. Select a Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform: Choose a state-approved technology provider for conducting online notarizations. Ensure the platform meets Texas requirements for identity proofing, audio-video recording, and electronic document signing
   
5. Obtain a digital certificate: Purchase a digital certificate from a state-approved provider. This is used to create your electronic signature and seal
   
6. Take an additional oath of office: After your application is approved, you'll receive your online notary commission
   Sign and take an additional oath of office specific to online notarization
   
7. Set up your electronic notary seal:Create an electronic version of your notary seal that meets state requirement
8. Familiarize yourself with RON procedures: Learn how to properly conduct remote online notarizations. Understand the additional requirements for verifying identity remotely
   
9. Maintain records: Keep electronic records of all online notarizations for at least 5 years. Ensure your chosen RON platform has adequate security and storage capabilities
   
10. Begin performing remote online notarizations: Your online notary commission is valid for the same term as your traditional notary commission
    

If you're looking for more guidance or have any questions, contact me at: [email protected]