Yes – remote online notary service is fully legal in Texas under Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter C, in effect since July 1, 2018. Texas online notaries may charge up to $25 per notarial act, and as long as the notary is physically located in Texas, the signer can connect from anywhere. Here’s exactly how the legality, cost, and process work for Texas signers and businesses.
Is Remote Online Notary Legal in Texas?
Yes. Texas has permanently authorized remote online notary service since 2018, making it one of the earlier states to adopt RON. The law sets specific rules around fees, notary location, and the technology used, all captured in the fact box below.
| Status today | Fully legal; permanent authorization since 2018 |
| Where to find the law | Texas Government Code §§ 406.101-406.111 (Chapter 406, Subchapter C) |
| In effect since | July 1, 2018, under HB 1217 |
| What a Texas notary can charge | Up to $25 for the online notarization itself (§ 406.111), on top of other fees allowed by § 406.024 |
| Where the notary must be | In Texas during the session; the signer can connect from anywhere |
How Much Does a Remote Online Notary Cost in Texas?
A Texas remote online notary may charge up to $25 per notarial act under Tex. Gov’t Code § 406.111, separate from any other fees authorized under § 406.024 for different notarial services. This fee cap applies specifically to the electronic notarization itself, not to unrelated services like document preparation.
BlueNotary charges $25 for one signer and one stamp, plus $8 for each additional stamp and $5 for each additional signer, and sessions typically take about 10 minutes. Teams that use their own notaries can review the pricing page; Business Pro costs $47 per seat per month for teams that use their own notaries, with $10 sessions and $0 for additional stamps.
How Does Remote Online Notary Work in Texas?
To notarize documents online in Texas, a remote online notary session follows the same core sequence regardless of document type. upload, verify identity, connect live with a Texas-commissioned notary, sign, and receive the completed file – typically in about 10 minutes.
- Upload your document. BlueNotary accepts PDF, Word, and image files.
- Verify your identity. A government ID scan plus a knowledge-based or biometric check confirms who you are.
- Join a live video session with a notary who is commissioned and physically located in Texas.
- Sign your document on camera while the notary witnesses the signature electronically.
- Receive your notarized document, complete with a tamper-evident digital certificate.
See the full notarization process walkthrough for what to have ready before your session starts.
Who Can Perform Remote Online Notarizations in Texas?
Only a notary who already holds a traditional Texas notary commission, has completed the state’s required RON training, and has registered separately for online notary authorization with the Secretary of State can perform a remote online notary session in Texas; a standard commission alone isn’t enough.
- Traditional commission first. Texas requires an active notary commission (with its own $10,000 surety bond) before applying for RON authorization.
- Separate RON registration. online notary authorization is a distinct SOS registration on top of the traditional commission, requiring its own application and fee.
- Physical presence in Texas. the notary must be physically located in Texas during the session, regardless of where the signer is.
Which Documents Can You Notarize Online in Texas?
Most documents that require notarization in Texas – affidavits, powers of attorney, business contracts, and many real estate documents – can be handled through a Texas online notary public session, with the same $25 fee cap applying regardless of document type.
- Affidavits and powers of attorney
- Business agreements and LLC documents
- Many real estate documents, subject to your title company’s own requirements
BlueNotary, an online notary service, supports this same range of document types for Texas signers. BlueNotary’s business page says more than 20,000 certified online notaries are active on its platform.
Have a question about a document in another language? Email BlueNotary at [email protected] and the team will help.
FAQ Section
1. Is remote online notary legal in Texas?
Yes. Texas has permanently authorized RON since July 1, 2018, under Tex. Gov’t Code, Ch. 406, Subch. C.
2. How much can a Texas online notary charge?
Up to $25 per notarial act under Tex. Gov’t Code § 406.111, separate from other authorized fees under § 406.024.
3. Does the notary have to be located in Texas?
Yes. The notary must be physically present in Texas during the session, though the signer can be located anywhere.
4. Can any Texas notary perform online notarizations?
No. A notary needs a traditional Texas commission plus separate RON registration and training before performing online notarizations.
5. How long does a Texas online notarization take?
A typical BlueNotary session, including identity verification, takes about 10 minutes from document upload to a completed file.
6. What documents can be notarized online in Texas?
Most documents requiring notarization, including affidavits, powers of attorney, and many business and real estate documents, are subject to a $25 fee cap.
