Texas Notary Renewal in 2026

When you can renew

You can file your renewal up to 90 days before your commission expires. Texas has no grace period. Once your expiration date passes, you cannot notarize until a new commission is issued.

Not sure of your date? Check it in seconds with our Texas notary lookup.

What changed in 2026

Under SB 693, every renewal application submitted on or after January 1, 2026 requires a continuing education course from the Texas Secretary of State. It applies no matter how long you have been a notary.

• $20 per attempt, paid to the Secretary of State
• 70% or higher to pass
• No more than three attempts in a three-month period
• The course must be completed within 90 days after you pay the fee
• Proof of completion must be dated within one year before you apply

Our notary education guide walks through the course itself.

Renewal steps

1. Take the continuing education course through the Secretary of State portal.
2. Get a new 4-year, $10,000 bond. Each commission needs its own bond, so last term's bond does not carry over. Through Lone Star it is $45 plus the $21 state application fee, $66 total, and we file it for you.
3. Review and sign your application when the Secretary of State emails you a link to its online portal.
4. Download your new commission and order a new seal. Your seal shows your commission expiration date, so the old one cannot be used for the new term.
5. Keep your old records. Texas now requires notaries to keep their records for 10 years from the date of each notarization, so hold on to your previous record book.

What a renewal costs

If your commission already expired

Stop notarizing until your new commission is issued. Then file the same way: complete the state education, get a new bond, and sign your application in the portal. The costs are the same.