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Maintaining Your Texas Notary Commission

  • What are the steps to change my name on my Texas notary commission?

    Follow these steps to submit your name change to the Texas Secretary of State.

    • Create or log in to your SOS Portal account and access the SOS Notary Portal.

    • Click Manage Commission, then select Change Name and start the request.

    • Enter your updated legal name and mailing (post office) address.

    • Upload a rider or endorsement from your surety bonding company showing the name change.

    • Submit the request and pay the $20 filing fee online.

    For more information, see the Texas Secretary of State Notary Portal Guide and select “Submit a Name Change (PDF)”:

    For a name change rider, call 713-644-2299 or email 713-644-2299 or email us at info@texasnotary.com.

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  • How do I update my address on my Texas notary commission?

    Texas law requires a Texas notary to report an address change to the Texas Secretary of State no later than the 10th day after the change is made.

    Update your address online through the SOS Notary Portal (using an SOS Portal account):

    • Create or log in to your SOS Portal account and open the SOS Notary Portal.

    • Click Manage Commission, then select Change Address.

    • Enter your updated mailing address and/or email address, then submit.

    For more information, see the Texas Secretary of State Notary Portal Guide and select “Submit an Address Change (PDF)."

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  • How do I renew my Texas notary commission?

    You can renew your Texas notary commission either (1) directly with the Texas Secretary of State through the SOS Notary Portal, or (2) through the American Association of Notaries (AAN), where we submit the renewal on your behalf as your bonding company. You may submit your renewal no earlier than 90 days before your commission expires, and it is recommended that you apply as early as possible within that 90-day window to help avoid a lapse.

    Option 1: renew directly with the Texas Secretary of State (SOS Notary Portal)

    • Create or log in to your SOS Portal account and access the SOS Notary Portal.

    • Use “Find Your Profile” to link your notary record to your account (if needed).

    • Complete the SOS notary education requirement.

    • Select “Apply or Renew Commission” and complete the renewal application.

    • Upload your proof of bond and pay the state filing fee online.

    • After approval:

      • Download your notary commission certificate from your SOS Notary Portal account.

      • Sign the certificate and take your oath of office before another notary public.

    Option 2: renew through AAN (bonding company submission)

    • Place your renewal order through AAN and authorize AAN to submit your renewal to the Texas Secretary of State.

    • Watch for an email from the Secretary of State, then log in to your SOS Portal account.

    • Open the Notary tile, go to “My Submissions,” review, sign, and submit your application.

    • Track the status in “My Submissions.”

    • After approval:

      • Download your notary commission certificate from your SOS Notary Portal account.

      • Sign the certificate and take your oath of office before another notary public.

    To learn how to renew your Texas notary commission, click here.

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  • How do I resign (voluntarily surrender) my Texas notary commission?

    You can resign by voluntarily surrendering your commission through the Texas Secretary of State’s SOS Notary Portal (accessed with an SOS Portal account).

    • Log in to your SOS Portal account, open the SOS Notary Portal, and click Manage Commission.

    • Select the Voluntary Surrender option (traditional or online, as applicable), then click Start.

    • Review your notary information and follow the prompts to verify your identity (the portal may request your Social Security number).

    • Read the statements and enter your initials where required.

    • Type your full legal name to sign the execution statement and submit.

    Note: If you are both a traditional notary and an online notary (RON), surrendering your traditional commission will also surrender your RON commission.

    After you resign, disable your notary stamp/seal so it cannot be used again.

    For more information, see the Texas Secretary of State Notary Portal Guide and select the voluntary surrender instructions.

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  • How do I get a duplicate Texas notary commission certificate?

    You can request a duplicate (replacement) commission certificate through the Texas Secretary of State’s SOS Notary Portal.

    • Create or log in to your SOS Portal account and open the SOS Notary Portal.

    • Click Manage Commission.

    • Select Request a Replacement Traditional Commission (or the online commission option, if applicable), then click Start.

    • Submit and pay the replacement commission fee (the portal will prompt you).

    For more information, see the Texas Secretary of State Notary Portal Guide and select “Request a Replacement Commission (PDF).”

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Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions. 

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.