Texas Notary Fees: $10 Max Per Signature (2026) | §406.024 | HB 255

Quick answer: Under Texas Government Code §406.024 (as amended by HB 255, effective September 1, 2023), a Texas notary’s maximum fee is $10 for the first signature on an acknowledgment plus $1 for each additional signature, and $10 each for an oath, jurat, affirmation, or general certificate under seal. Online notarization can add up to $25 on top of the regular fee under §406.110. A mobile notary typically costs $50-$150 total including travel; many Texas banks notarize free for account holders.

Texas Maximum Notary Fee Per Signature

Texas Government Code §406.024 sets the maximum statutory notary fees, restructured by HB 255 (88th Legislature) which took effect September 1, 2023. The headline change: the prior $6 flat cap was raised to $10 for the first signature on an acknowledgment plus $1 for each additional signature on the same instrument. For oaths, jurats, affirmations, and general certificates under seal, the cap is a flat $10 per act.

Texas’s $10 cap puts the state in the middle of the pack nationally — equal to Florida ($10), well above New York ($2), Ohio ($5), Pennsylvania ($5), and Illinois ($5), and below California ($15) and Maine ($25).

What counts as one act? For acknowledgments on a single instrument: $10 first signature + $1 each additional. For separate documents: each document is its own first-signature charge. Two documents each requiring a notarized signature = $10 + $10 = $20 total, not $10 + $1.

Texas notaries may charge less than the cap but cannot exceed it. Many banks and businesses absorb the notary fee entirely for their customers. For a full comparison across all 50 states, see our complete guide to notary costs. Compared to other large states, California allows $15 per act and Florida allows $10.

Additional fee notes:

• Online notarization (§406.110): Texas-commissioned online notaries can charge up to $25 on top of the regular notarial fee for the technology/identity-verification overhead.
• Certified copies / depositions: Texas notaries can charge up to $0.50 per 100 words for certifying copies and similar paginated documents.
• Inflation indexing: §406.024 directs the Secretary of State to review the fee schedule every five years and adjust upward based on the federal Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The first review under this provision is scheduled for the late 2020s.

Mobile Notary Costs in Texas

When a Texas notary travels to your location, they charge a travel fee on top of the per-act fee. Texas does not regulate mobile notary travel fees.

Service	Major Metro Areas	Smaller Cities / Rural TX
Standard daytime (within 15 mi)	$50–$100 total	$40–$75 total
Evening or weekend	$75–$150 total	$50–$100 total
Rush / same-day	$100–$175 total	$75–$125 total
Hospital or care facility visit	$100–$175 total	$75–$150 total
Late night or holiday	$150–$250 total	$100–$200 total

These totals include both the statutory per-act fee ($10 first sig + $1 each additional on a single instrument) and the travel charge. A mobile notary who charges a $70 travel fee plus $10 for a one-signature acknowledgment costs $80 for one signature; for three signatures on the same instrument, the per-act charge is $10 + $1 + $1 = $12, total $82.

Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth pricing are similar and tend to be the highest in the state due to urban sprawl and traffic. Standard weekday mobile notary appointments in these metros typically run $60–$125, with rush and evening appointments reaching $125–$200.

San Antonio and Austin pricing is moderate, generally in the $50–$100 range for standard daytime appointments, though Austin has seen prices creep higher with population growth.

El Paso, Lubbock, and rural Texas are the most affordable on per-call rates, though the distances involved in rural areas can lead to higher travel fees despite lower base rates.

Where to Get Free Notary Services in Texas

• Banks and credit unions — Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Frost Bank, PNC, and most credit unions offer free notarization to account holders.
• AAA offices — Members can access free notary services at Texas branch locations.
• Your employer — Large Texas employers commonly have notaries on staff, particularly in energy, real estate, and legal sectors.
• Public libraries — Some Texas library systems offer notary services. Houston Public Library and Dallas Public Library branches are worth checking.
• UPS Store — Widely available across Texas. Typically charges the $10 state maximum for the first signature.
• County clerk offices — Many Texas county clerk offices provide notary services.

For more options, see our complete guide to free notary services.

Texas Notary Journal Requirements

Texas requires notaries to maintain a record book (journal) of all notarial acts performed. Key requirements:

• Mandatory: All Texas notaries must maintain a journal of every notarial act
• Required entries: Date, type of notarial act, type of document, printed name and address of each signer, type of ID used, fee charged
• Format: Bound book with sequentially numbered pages, or an electronic equivalent meeting state administrative-rule requirements
• Retention: Texas administrative rule and statute require retention for the life of the commission and for a period after expiration; verify the current retention window with the Texas Secretary of State Notary Public Section before disposing of records

For the full state-by-state comparison, see our notary journal requirements guide.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Texas

Texas was a pioneer in remote online notarization, becoming one of the first states to authorize RON in 2017 (HB 1217, 85th Legislature). The framework went into effect in 2018 under Texas Government Code Chapter 406, Subchapter C.

• Fully authorized: Texas has had comprehensive RON legislation since 2017
• Per-act fee under §406.110: Texas-commissioned online notaries may charge up to $25 on top of the regular §406.024 fee for the technology/identity-verification overhead — so a typical online acknowledgment runs up to $35 ($10 act + $25 online surcharge), with consumer pricing through platforms like Notarize, Proof, or BlueNotary usually $25–$50 all-in
• Requirements: Government-issued photo ID, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions, stable internet connection, audio/video capability
• Recording requirement: The entire RON session must be recorded (audio and video) and retained for at least 5 years

Texas’s early adoption of RON means the state has a mature ecosystem of technology providers and experienced online notaries. RON is widely accepted for real estate transactions, business documents, and personal legal documents in Texas.

Loan Signing Agent Fees in Texas

Texas has a huge real estate market, and loan signing agents are in high demand. The signing agent is paid by the title company, not by you directly.

Signing Type	Agent Fee	You Pay
Standard refinance	$75–$150	Included in closing costs
Purchase closing	$100–$175	Included in closing costs
HELOC / second lien	$75–$125	Included in closing costs
Cash-out refinance	$100–$175	Included in closing costs

Texas has unique real estate laws, including a three-day right of rescission for certain loans and restrictions on home equity lending. Loan signing agents in Texas must be familiar with these requirements. You will see a “notary fee” line on your closing disclosure, but you do not negotiate this directly.

How to Save Money on Notarization in Texas

1. Check your bank first. Free notarization for account holders eliminates the $10 first-signature fee entirely. See our guide to getting a document notarized for what to bring.
2. Plan ahead. Rush and after-hours fees in Texas metros can push costs well above $150. Scheduling a few days out saves money.
3. Batch your documents. Multiple signatures on the same instrument benefit from the $1-per-additional-signature step-down — bundle when you can.
4. Use RON. Texas was one of the first RON states, so the option is well-established. A $25 online session can replace an $80+ mobile visit.
5. Compare mobile notary quotes. Use FindNotary.io to find and compare notaries near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum notary fee in Texas per signature under §406.024?

Texas Government Code §406.024 caps the notary fee at $10 for the first signature on an acknowledgment plus $1 for each additional signature on the same instrument. Oaths, jurats, affirmations, and general certificates under seal are capped at $10 per act. The cap was raised from $6 by HB 255, effective September 1, 2023.

How much can a Texas notary charge per signature?

A Texas notary may charge up to $10 per signature on the first signature of an acknowledgment, then $1 per additional signature on the same instrument. For oaths and jurats, the cap is $10 per act. Online notarization adds up to $25 under §406.110.

Can a Texas notary charge more than $10?

Not for the basic notarial act. The $10 cap is set by Texas Government Code §406.024. Exceeding it is a violation that can result in commission revocation. Mobile notary travel fees are separate and unregulated, and online notaries may add the §406.110 technology fee of up to $25.

When did Texas raise its notary fee from $6 to $10?

Texas raised the maximum notary fee from $6 to $10 through House Bill 255 in the 88th Legislature, signed into law in 2023 and effective September 1, 2023. This was the first material increase to the Texas notary fee schedule in many years and also added the $1-per-additional-signature step on acknowledgments and the inflation-indexing review provision.

What is the Texas maximum notary fee in 2026?

The 2026 Texas notary fee maximum is $10 per notarial act for the first signature on an acknowledgment, plus $1 each additional signature on the same instrument. Oaths, jurats, and general certificates under seal are capped at $10. Online notarization fees can add up to $25 under §406.110. The Secretary of State is required by §406.024 to review and CPI-adjust the fee schedule every five years.

How much does a mobile notary cost in Houston or Dallas?

Expect $60–$125 for a standard weekday appointment in Houston or the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and $100–$175+ for evenings, weekends, or rush service. Urban sprawl and traffic are the primary cost drivers in both metros.

Is notarization free at Texas banks?

Most major banks and credit unions in Texas offer free notary services to account holders. Call ahead to confirm availability, as not every branch has a notary on staff at all times.

Does Texas allow online notarization?

Yes. Texas was one of the first states to authorize remote online notarization (RON) in 2017 under HB 1217, with the framework taking effect in 2018. Texas-commissioned online notaries operate under Texas Government Code Chapter 406, Subchapter C and can notarize documents for signers anywhere in the United States. The full RON session must be recorded and retained for at least 5 years.

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Find a notary near you in Texas: Houston · Dallas · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth · El Paso

Compare other states: California notary fees ($15) · Florida notary fees ($10) · Ohio notary fees ($5) · Illinois notary fees ($5)

Related guides: How much does a notary cost? · Notary journal requirements by state · Free notary services · How to become a notary in Texas · Same-day notary in Texas