Texas Notary Bond 2026: $10,000 Bond + New SB693 Exam Rule
The Texas notary bond is $10,000 for 4 years and runs $40–$70. Total to start: $81–$111. SB693 adds a 2-hour course and a 20-question exam.
Texas Notary Bond
$10,000 Texas notary bond,
$10,000 Texas notary bond,
filed the same day you apply.
The bond the Texas Secretary of State requires for every new notary commission and renewal. Low flat-rate premium — typically $50–$100 for the full 4-year term. No hard credit pull. Bundle E&O insurance in one call.
- Same-day issuance, emailed within the hour
- New commissions and renewals
- Traditional and online notary (RON) bonds
What it is
The bond the Texas SOS requires for a notary commission.
A Texas notary bond is a $10,000 financial guarantee filed with the Texas Secretary of State as part of becoming a commissioned notary public. It protects the public — not the notary — from losses caused by notarial misconduct or negligence.
If you notarize a forged signature, notarize a document without the signer present, or otherwise violate Texas Government Code Chapter 406, a harmed party can file a claim against the bond. The surety pays up to $10,000 and then collects that money from you.
The bond is filed once per 4-year commission cycle and does not transfer between commissions. Every renewal needs a new bond.
Wondering why several Texas licenses share this amount? See our guide to the $10,000 surety bond in Texas — which licenses require one and what each actually costs.
What you pay
Flat-rate premium. Low, simple, one-time for four years.
Unlike auto dealer or contractor bonds, notary bonds are almost always written at a flat rate regardless of credit. No tier system, no hard pull.
| Product | Coverage | Premium (4-year term) |
|---|---|---|
| Notary bond Required by SOS | $10,000 | $50–$100 |
| Notary E&O insurance Optional, protects you | $10,000–$100,000 | $50–$200 |
| Online notary (RON) bond For remote online notarization | $10,000 | $75–$150 |
| RON E&O insurance Required alongside RON bond | $5,000 minimum | $100–$250 |
Rates current for standard applicants. Bundled bond + E&O packages typically price lower than buying both separately.
How to get bonded
Same-day, four steps, no stress.
- 01
Quote the bond
Call or start online. Tell us traditional or RON and whether you want E&O bundled. No credit pull for standard quotes.
- 02
Sign & pay
Electronic application, credit card or ACH payment. Takes five minutes.
- 03
Receive signed bond
Bond emailed the same day, executed and surety-sealed, ready to file with the SOS.
- 04
File with Secretary of State
Submit the bond alongside your notary application (Form 2301). SOS processing typically takes 10–15 business days. Your commission then issues.
Legal requirements
Texas statute, issuing agency, what the bond covers.
Statute
Texas Government Code Chapter 406 requires every notary public in Texas to file a $10,000 surety bond before the Secretary of State issues a commission.
Issuing agency
Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Unit.
Bond amount
$10,000 for a traditional notary commission. $10,000 plus $5,000 minimum E&O for an online notary public (RON).
Term
4 years, matching the commission term.
Who can claim
Any individual harmed by the notary's misconduct or negligence — typically signers whose documents were improperly notarized or third parties who relied on a bad notarization.
Why Surety Bond Houston
Simple bond. Simple process. Real agent on the phone.
Same-day, no credit pull
Standard notary bonds issue within the hour. Flat-rate pricing, no soft or hard credit check required.
Bond + E&O in one call
Most notaries should carry both. We bundle them on one application so you are covered both ways from day one.
Renewal reminders
We flag your commission expiration 60 days out so you never lapse. Renewal bond can issue the same day you call.
Related Texas bonds
Other license bonds we write alongside notary.
FAQ
Notary questions we answer every week.
How much does a Texas notary bond cost?
The bond amount is $10,000 — the Secretary of State minimum. Premium is a flat rate (not credit-scored for most applicants) and typically runs $50–$100 for the full 4-year term. No hard credit pull for standard notary bonds.
Is the notary bond the same thing as errors & omissions (E&O) insurance?
No. The $10,000 bond protects the public — if you make a notarial mistake that harms someone, they can claim against the bond and you owe the surety back. E&O insurance protects you, paying out to cover your own legal defense and damages. Most notaries carry both. We can quote E&O alongside the bond on one call.
How long does a Texas notary commission and bond last?
Four years. The notary commission and the bond term both run 4 years from the date the Secretary of State approves your application.
What is the process to become a Texas notary?
Submit the notary application (Form 2301) to the Texas Secretary of State, pass a basic eligibility check, and file the $10,000 bond. Some applicants also take a short training course, but Texas does not require one. We issue the bond the same day you apply for it.
Do I need a separate bond if I am renewing my notary commission?
Yes. Each 4-year notary commission requires its own bond. When you renew, you file a new bond with the renewal application.
Can I also get bonded as an online notary (RON) in Texas?
Yes. Texas online notary public (remote online notarization) requires a separate $10,000 bond plus a $5,000 E&O policy specific to online notarizations. We write both. Call us if you want to add RON to your traditional commission.
What happens if a claim is filed against my notary bond?
The surety investigates. If the claim is valid — for example, you notarized a signature without the signer present — the surety pays the damaged party up to $10,000 and then collects from you. Most notary claims are small and avoidable: verify ID, never pre-sign, keep a proper journal.
Do I need a Texas notary bond if I work for an employer?
Yes. The bond is in your individual name, not the employer. Many employers reimburse the cost as part of hiring you, but the bond belongs to you and follows you if you change jobs.
Ready when you are
Get your Texas notary bond today.
Same-day issuance. Flat-rate pricing. E&O and RON available. Talk to a real Texas agent.