A “mobile notary” in Texas isn’t a different license — it’s a Texas notary public who travels to the signer (home, office, hospital, jail, coffee shop, etc.). So the path looks like this:
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Get your Texas notary commission
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Set up your mobile notary service (tools, pricing, scheduling, marketing, compliance)
Here’s the full, step-by-step process.
Step 1: Make sure you’re eligible in Texas
To become a Texas notary public, the Secretary of State lists these eligibility requirements:
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You must be a Texas resident
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You must be at least 18
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You must have no convictions for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (Texas runs background checks)
Step 2: Get the required $10,000 surety bond
Texas requires a $10,000 surety bond, and the SOS provides the bond form and explains it’s required for your application.
Important note: a surety bond is there to protect the public — not you personally. Many notaries also choose E&O insurance for extra protection, but that part is optional.
Step 3: Apply for your Texas notary commission (online)
Texas has an SOS Notary Portal where you can submit an application (and later renew, update your info, check status, etc.).
Once approved, you’ll receive your commission details and you can move to the “mobile notary” setup.
Step 4: Buy the basic supplies you’ll actually use as a mobile notary
At minimum, plan for:
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Texas-compliant notary stamp/seal
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A record book (journal) (highly recommended, and Texas has specific recordbook expectations)
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Reliable ID-check routine (your process matters more than gadgets)
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A simple invoice/receipt template (so your fees stay clean)
Texas SOS FAQs also outline what details should be captured in notary records, like dates, signer info, identification method, and document description. Step 5: Learn how fees work for mobile notaries in Texas
Notary fees (the notarization itself)
Texas sets maximum fees for notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, etc.), and those are separate from your travel/business charges.
Travel/mobile fee (your convenience fee)
Texas law does not specify a travel-fee amount the way some states do — so mobile notaries commonly charge a separate travel/convenience fee, but you should:
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keep it separate from the notary fee, and
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disclose/agree to it up front to avoid problems and misunderstandings
A simple pricing structure many mobile notaries use:
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Travel fee (base + distance/after-hours)
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Plus state-limited notary fees per notarization
Step 6: Set up your mobile notary workflow (so you don’t waste time)
This is what makes “mobile notary” feel professional:
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Service area: pick a realistic radius (example: 10–25 miles)
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Scheduling: same-day and after-hours is where most mobile demand lives
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Client intake: collect the basics before you drive:
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document type (general notary work vs. loan signing)
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number of signers
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whether witnesses are required (and who provides them)
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location and parking notes
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ID readiness
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Payment policy: decide when you collect (before leaving, on arrival, after service)
Step 7: Stay strict on compliance (this is what keeps you safe)
Two non-negotiables for Texas notaries:
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Personal appearance matters. You notarize only when the signer properly appears before you (or through an authorized online notarization process if you’re approved as an online notary).
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Recordkeeping matters. Your record book entries are treated as public information in Texas law, and there are rules around providing copies of records on request.
If something feels off (pressure, confusion, missing ID, signer not aware, etc.), you’re allowed to pause or refuse.
Optional: Add Remote Online Notary (RON) later
If you want to offer online notarizations too, Texas requires you to:
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already be a traditional Texas notary with an active commission, and
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then apply for authorization as an Online Notary Public
Mobile + RON can be a strong combination, but it’s best to get confident with standard notarizations first.
Quick “starter checklist” for becoming a mobile notary in Texas
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Confirm eligibility (TX resident, 18+, clean record per SOS rules)
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Get the $10,000 bond
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Apply through the Texas SOS Notary Portal Texas Secretary of State
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Get stamp + record book, and follow TX recordkeeping guidance
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Create a pricing sheet that separates notary fees from travel fees
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Build a simple intake + scheduling process for mobile appointments
Visit Notary2Notary.com to get expert guidance and learning to kickstart your Notary Business with confidence.