What can a notary do in Texas?

Asked by: Misael Smith  |  Last update: March 22, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (35 votes)

A Notary Public is a public servant with statewide jurisdiction who is authorized to take acknowledgments, protest instruments permitted by law to be protested (primarily negotiable instruments and bills and notes), administer oaths, take depositions, and certify copies of documents not recordable in the public records ...

What can a Texas notary not notarize?

Notaries public are not permitted to notarize recordable documents. Recordable documents, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and/or divorce decrees, cannot be notarized.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.

What is the most a notary can charge in Texas?

The maximum allowable fees a Texas notary or their employer may charge for notarial acts are as follows:
  • For swearing a witness to a deposition, certificate, seal, and other business connected with taking the deposition: $10.
  • For a notarial act not provided for: $10.

What type of notary makes the most money?

#1: Loan Signing Agent

One of the most lucrative ways to make money as a notary public is by becoming a loan signing agent.

TEXAS Notary FAQ's

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What are the downsides of being a notary?

The Cons of Being a Notary
  • Steady income can be difficult.
  • You could be sued for a lot of money.
  • Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.

Is notary a side hustle?

Why becoming a Notary is the ultimate side gig. Whether you're looking for a way to work from home or a part-time job to get you out of the house, you should consider becoming a Notary first. A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities.

What can notaries not charge for?

Some states prohibit their notaries from charging or collecting a fee for notarizing a signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.

What is the new Texas notary law?

This new notary law allows a Texas notary to record in their notary journal, the expiration date of an identification card issued by a governmental agency (including a passport issued by the United States) if the signer, grantor, or maker of an instrument or document presents the document to the notary public as ...

What is a notary liable for?

A notary public is liable for all damages caused by his or her errors, omissions, improper notarizations, or negligence in the performance of a notarial act even if such actions were made inadvertently.

Can Notaries swear people in?

2093. (a) Every court, every judge, or clerk of any court, every justice, and every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has the power to administer oaths or affirmations.

How to list notary on resume with no experience?

Under certificates or licenses

The most common place to list your notary status is in your certificates and licenses section. List your status as noted above, including location and expiration date, and include any additional certificates, such as certified notary signing agent or eNotary.

What disqualifies you from being a notary in Texas?

To be commissioned as a notary public in Texas, you must be a Texas resident at least 18 years of age who has not received a final conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony.

Can a notary say no?

Always make sure that you have good cause. You cannot turn down a request simply because of a gut feeling, a nagging suspicion or because you simply “don't like the look” of the signer. Some reasons for refusing are clear cut: Say, for example, the signer asks you to notarize his absent wife's signature.

What color ink should a notary use in Texas?

What color ink can I use on my notary stamp? Permanent ink must be used when using a rubber stamp type notary stamp; black ink is strongly recommended.

How do mobile notary make money?

Mobile Notaries travel to signers' locations to notarize documents. They earn money by charging a fee for the notarization up to the limit allowed by their state's law. Some states also permit Notaries to charge a travel fee.

What is a notary prohibited from?

Notaries cannot authenticate or validate objects. Notaries cannot give advice or opinions that should be given by an attorney—this is unlicensed practice of law.

Can you offer free notary services?

Other financial services firms, such as credit unions, thrifts, real estate firms, tax preparation firms, or insurance company offices, also commonly have notaries available and provide that service to clients at no charge.

Can a notary notarize without their stamp?

All 50 states require public notaries to place their respective stamp on documents as a means to finalize and authenticate the service. Without this stamp, the document is not legally notarized.

Is notary a stressful job?

Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.

Is it worth being a notary in Texas?

Another advantage of becoming a Texas notary, a Texas online notary, or a Texas notary signing agent is job security. People will always need to have documents notarized, from wills and living trusts to powers of attorney and government forms.

Can you work from home as a notary?

States that allow RON in the future: California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont. States that don't allow RON: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina.