by Did you know that a notary public in the USA earns an average of $20 to $40/hour, with an average annual salary of $64k to $70k (data from ZipRecruiter). Nowadays, most notary publics are being commissioned as online notaries, which increases their salaries.
This high salary for notary publics is why the USA holds the top position for the largest number of notaries in the world. Nowadays, people are aware of notarization and understand its importance in every aspect of life. That’s why every single document, from a school admission form to a loan document, requires notarization. In most cases, people find it important to notarize the document, even when it is not required. The Reason? The rising fraud and the extra protection that it provides.
The rising demand for notarization has affected the notary market across the USA. There are many states that lack the number of notaries, including Texas. If you are a Texas resident and feel the need to become a notary, then this article will provide you with a complete guide to becoming one. Continue reading the article to find everything.
What is a Notary Public?
Before jumping into the process of becoming a Notary Public, it’s essential to understand who a Notary Public is and what they do.
A Notary Public is an individual authorized by the government to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents. A Notary Public must handle any document that requires notarization. Their primary responsibility is to help prevent fraud by verifying the signer’s identity, ensuring they are acting willingly, and confirming they understand the document’s contents.
Once these steps are completed, the Notary Public formally acknowledges the document and completes the notarization by signing it and affixing an official seal or stamp.
However, in most cases, Notary Publics do not provide legal advice or prepare documents; their role is strictly to authenticate the signing process and ensure it meets legal requirements. They also take care of identifying the signer by checking their official ID, to make the signing smooth and error-free.
Document notarization is a necessary process that is compulsory in most of the legal documents. However, some people prefer not to notarize the document to ensure any potential issues. For example, if you are lending money to a friend, this might seem like something that may begin as a casual or personal arrangement, but having the agreement notarized can help protect both parties.
Notarization adds an extra layer of authenticity by confirming the identities of the individuals involved and acknowledging that the agreement was signed willingly, which can be helpful if a dispute arises later. Just like this, there are a lot of verbal commitments that don’t hold any legal importance in front of the court. Thus,m having the document notarized can save your time and money, and this is done by the notary public.
Now, you understand about the notary, notarization, and why it is important. Let’s deep dive into the process of becoming a notary public. In the USA, every state has its own process of becoming a notary public. In this guide, we will highlight the Texas state process and will walk you through the complete application journey to help you understand the process.
Texas Notary Application Form: Eligibility to Become a Notary Public in Texas
The first step of becoming a notary public is to understand the eligibility criteria of the state of Texas. Every state in the USA has its own eligibility criteria for the application process. Let’s look at the basic eligibility to become a notary public in Texas.
- The Applicant must be 18 or older.
- He/she must be a legal resident of Texas.
- The Applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
- They must know how to read and write in English.
Quick Note: The Texas Notary also does a background check of the applicant. You need to ensure that the right information is provided during the process.
If you want to become a notary in a different state, like Florida or New York, make sure to go through their eligibility requirements before applying for the notary application form.
Understanding the Texas Notary Application Form: Texas Notary Laws and Requirements
Now let’s understand the Texas Notary application form, its important laws and requirements. This form is the official document used to apply for a four-year Notary Public commission in Texas. This form asks the applicant to fill in important information that the state requires to check the applicant’s eligibility in order to issue a notary commission.
Understanding Texas Notary Laws and Requirements
The Texas Secretary of State outlines clear requirements for notary applicants. It is advisable for the applicant to go through these requirements carefully before applying for a notary commission. Reviewing these requirements carefully will help you ensure your application process is better and avoid the chances of delays and rejection.
Types of Texas Notary Applications
The applicant must be aware of the types of Texas notary application forms for becoming a Notary Public. As per the state, there are two official ways to submit a Texas notary application:
- Self-Submitted Application – the applicant fills out and submits the application form on their own through the Secretary of State portal.
- Bonding Agency Submission – A state-approved bonding agency, such as Notary of America, submits the application form on your behalf.
Note: As per the Texas Law, all notaries must obtain a $10,000 surety bond. Many applicants choose the bonding agency to fill out the application form as it simplifies the process and reduces paperwork.
Texas Notary Applicants Form Education Materials: Review the Requirements Before Applying
Most of the states in the USA conduct an exam for the applicant, but Texas does not require applicants to pass a notary exam.
In addition, the Secretary of State strongly asks the applicant to review the notary education materials, and the state loss before applying to the form. This helps the applicant to overview the state law and also go through the roles and responsibilities for the application form.
The study material includes:
- Excerpts from the Texas Notary Public Handbook
- An online training course provided by the Secretary of states
- Frequently Asked Questions
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Texas Notary Commission
Let’s go through the step-by-step process that is required to file the taxes. Notary commission. This step is for someone who has already fallen under the basic eligibility to fill out the application form. If you have not gone through the eligibility list, we recommend that you check it first and then proceed with filling out the application form.
Step 1: Obtain a Surety Bond
In Texas, you are required to purchase a $10,000 Texas Notary surety bond from an authorized provider.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Complete the taxes, notary application form carefully; it is advised to double-check all the details and go through the spellings and addresses to ensure that you have not provided any incorrect details.
Step 3: Submit the Application and Fees
Once the form is completed and rechecked, submit your application form along with the fee to the taxi secretary of state. You can either submit the form by mail or through the online website. This completely depends on your method of filling the form.
Step 4: Receive Your Notary Commission Certificate
Once you submit the form, it will take some time to get approved. Once approved, you will receive your Notary commission certificate, which confirms your authorization to act as a Texas Notary Public.
After Approval: What to Do Next?
Once you receive the confirmation for becoming a notary for the state of Texas, the process doesn’t stop there. In order to perform the notary act, you must have these things:
- Purchase an official Notary seal or stamp
- Obtain a Notary record book or journal (optional)
- Take and file your oath of office (optional)
Once you have these things, you can start with your notarization journey. Now, you are authorized to notarize the documents of people across the nation. However, your notarization act can be validated only if you are within the boundary of Texas. This means you can notarize the documents of the people from any part of the USA, but you must be within Texas to do that.
How Long Is a Texas Notary Commission Valid?
Another thing that you must be aware of is that your notary commission is only valid for 4 years. After the completion of the four years, you must renew the commission to avoid a lapse in authorization.
Conclusion
If you are applying to become a Texas Notary Public, you must follow the steps to become a notary public. Becoming a notary public gives you abundant opportunities for professionals, business owners, and individuals looking to expand their services. By understanding the Texas Notary application form and following the correct steps, you can complete the process confidently and efficiently.
With proper preparation and attention to detail, you’ll be ready to serve your community as a trusted and impartial Notary Public. However, the journey doesn’t stop there; once you register as a notary public in Texas, you must apply to become an online notary in Texas. In the next article, we will talk about how to become an Online Notary in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can I become a Notary Public in Texas?
Yes, you can become a notary public in Texas by applying for the application form in the Secretary of State in Texas.
2.Can I earn money as a Notary Public?
Yes, Notary public is one of the noble job careers where the individual can earn from $19 to $30 per hour. Most people consider this career as it has become popular among people, especially among women who want a flexible job in the current market.
3.Can I Become an Online Notary in Texas?
Yes, you can become an online notary in Texas if you are already a commissioned notary public. To become an online notary in Texas, you must apply for the online notary authorization through the Texas Secretary of State, then get approved in a Remote Online Notary Platform like eNotary On Call, and most importantly, get an electronic seal and get the training to work on the digital platform.
