Texas Notary Bond Guide: $10,000 Requirement, Cost & How to Get One

Texas requires a $10,000 notary bond for all notaries public. The bond is submitted with your notary application to the Texas Secretary of State and must be in place before your commission is issued. This guide covers the requirement, cost, and the bond-vs-E&O distinction.

For how notary bonds work generally, see our notary bond explained.

Texas’s $10,000 Notary Bond Requirement

Under Texas Government Code, a notary public must:

• Obtain a $10,000 surety bond
• Submit the bond with the notary application to the Secretary of State
• Maintain the bond for the full 4-year commission term

The bond must be in place before the commission is issued. It’s filed once and runs the entire term.

How Much Does a Texas Notary Bond Cost?

The $10,000 bond is inexpensive because notary claims are rare:

$10,000 bond for the 4-year term: typically $71.57 (includes $21.57 mandatory Texas filing fee)

The bond is flat-rate with no credit check and usually issued same-day.

Texas notary products: Texas notary bond and Texas notary E&O insurance. For broader pricing, see the surety bond cost guide.

Texas Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance

Two different products:

• The $10,000 bond is required and protects the public.
• E&O insurance is optional and protects the notary from the cost of claims, including reimbursing the bond.

See bonded vs. insured for the full distinction.

How to Get a Texas Notary Bond

1. Meet Texas notary requirements. Be a Texas resident, 18+, with no disqualifying convictions.
2. Buy your $10,000 bond. Flat-rate, no credit check, issued same-day.
3. Bond filed with State. The surety company will file the bond and application with the Texas Secretary of State on your behalf.
4. Consider E&O insurance. Optional personal protection.

See more Texas bonds at the Texas state bonds hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much is a Texas notary bond?
  Texas requires a $10,000 notary bond, which typically costs $71.57 (includes $21.57 mandatory Texas filing fee) for the full 4-year commission term. It’s flat-rate with no credit check. Optional E&O insurance can be added for personal protection.
• Is a notary bond required in Texas?
  Yes. Texas requires every notary public to obtain a $10,000 surety bond and submit it with their application to the Secretary of State. The bond must be in place before the commission is issued.
• Does the Texas notary bond protect me?
  No. The $10,000 bond protects the public from your notarial errors. If a claim is paid, you reimburse the surety. E&O insurance, which is separate and optional, is what protects you personally.
• How long does a Texas notary bond last?
  It runs for the full 4-year notary commission term. You file it once with your application, and it stays in force for the entire term with no annual renewal.
• Do Texas notaries need E&O insurance?
  It’s not required, but recommended for active notaries. E&O insurance covers your own defense costs and the cost of reimbursing the bond if a claim is paid against you.
• Where do I submit my Texas notary bond?
  You don’t need to submit anything. The surety company will electronically file the application and original bond with the Texas Secretary of State on your behalf.
• Can I get a Texas notary bond with bad credit?
  Yes. Texas notary bonds are flat-rate with no credit check, so bad credit doesn’t affect approval or price.
• How fast can I get a Texas notary bond?
  Usually same-day. Texas notary bonds are issued within a few hours because they’re flat-rate and require no underwriting.

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