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TexasSB 69389th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to notaries public; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a fee.

Sponsored By: Rafael Anchía, Oscar Longoria, Joe Moody, Mike Schofield, Royce West (Democratic)

Became Law

Crimes--MiscellaneousNotariesOccupational Regulation--Other Trades & ProfessionsCONTINUING EDUCATIONRECORDS MANAGEMENTSECRETARY OF STATE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Notaries face longer recordkeeping and broader discipline

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas notaries must keep required records until the 10th anniversary of each notarization. Failing to keep those records gives the secretary of state grounds to act against a notary’s appointment. Added grounds also include knowingly false application statements, conduct-rule violations, and notarizing without the required person appearing. Final convictions related to notary regulation and penalties for violating notary duties or related state rules also qualify. Action against a notary’s appointment is not automatic.

Required courses and possible fees for notaries

For applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Texas notary applicants must complete state courses for appointment or renewal. Each required course is capped at two hours. The Texas secretary of state must offer the courses and may charge a reasonable fee; no amount is set. Notaries appointed before September 1, 2025, are exempt from the initial course, but not renewal education; earlier applications follow prior law. The law requires the secretary of state to adopt implementing rules by January 1, 2026.

New notary penalties with an identity defense

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas notaries commit a crime by knowingly notarizing when the required person did not personally appear. It is a Class A misdemeanor, upgraded to a state jail felony for documents involving transfers of property or property interests. For in-person notarizations, the person must be physically present and exchange visual, audio, communication, and identification information with the notary. Online notarizations require interactive two-way audio and video that meet state standards. Notaries have a legal defense if the person appearing knowingly presented apparently valid ID naming them as the required person, even if that identity was false.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Rafael Anchía

    House

  • Oscar Longoria

    House

  • Joe Moody

    House

  • Mike Schofield

    House

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 316 • No: 66

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 5/13/2025

Record vote

Yes: 105 • No: 29

House vote • 5/12/2025

Record vote

Yes: 105 • No: 35

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 29 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 29 • No: 1

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Criminal Justice

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Bill Text

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