How to Become a Notary in San Antonio, Texas

So, you’d like to become a Notary in San Antonio, Texas? We’d be more than happy to help navigate the system with just a few simple steps – and get you on your way to starting your business!

To begin, you need to meet these minimum qualifications in the State of Texas:

• You must be 18 years of age
• You must live in the state of Texas
• You must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (in other words, a crime that is against society’s views of justice).

Now that we’ve gotten that taken care of, let’s take a look in greater detail what you’ll need to do before you become a Notary in San Antonio:

First, you’re going to need procure a $10,000 Surety Bond.  A Surety Bond protects the public in the event that you make a mistake as a notary.   No one is perfect; we all make mistakes, so it is vital that you protect yourself and the public by purchasing this bond.  Check your San Antonio Yellow Pages or your favorite internet search engine: they’ll help you find insurance companies, bond agencies or other notary organizations that can provide a Surety Bond for purchase.

Second, you’ll need to fill out an application (Form 2301) to become a Notary.  It can be printed off of the Texas State Website.  You can also pick up an application from the Bexar County Clerk’s office at:

Office of the County Clerk
Bexar County Courthouse
100 Dolorosa Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205

Third, after you receive the Surety Bond and the official application (Form 2301), you’ll need to mail your completed application and your signed Surety Bond together with with a check or money order made out to the Secretary of State, in the amount of $21.00, to the following address:

Secretary of State of Texas, Notary Public Unit
P. O. Box 13375
Austin, Texas 78711-3375

Last but certainly not least: Even though the State of Texas doesn’t require that you attend any certification classes or trainings, you may want to consider taking a few, if nothing else than to keep yourself current with the local laws and regulations.  Some insurance companies in San Antonio and other private businesses offer seminars and training sessions; there are online courses available as well.  Consider it an investment for your future as a Notary.

What to expect next: The Secretary of State will approve your application, after which you will receive a mailing including your commission, the dates that it’s effective as well as any other instructions, duties and limitations relevant to your position.

But we’re not done yet! We still need to get you set up with supplies!

You’ll need an official Texas Notary Seal and Texas Notary Journal (to record the details of your position, including name, addresses, dates, services and fees, if any).  Both of these items can be purchased at a number of different businesses and websites.  Just look for “Notary Supplies” in your favorite search engine or in the San Antonio Yellow Pages and you’re sure to find a number of different businesses that sell these items.

If you have followed all of these steps and have your supplies in hand, congratulations! You are now a Notary in the city of San Antonio, Texas.  Go ahead – start promoting your business!   Don’t forget to let us know how it’s going; we always love hearing success stories!

Don't forget to setup your free public profile on NotaryCRM.