• There are several rules for becoming a Texas notary.stamp and pad image by jovica antoski from Fotolia.com
  
  Texas statutes establish notary rules, which set forth what a person needs to do to become a notary public in the Lone Star State. Additionally, Texas notary rules establish how a notary public conducts his or her business in the state. A person interested in becoming a Texas notary public must be familiar with these essential rules.
  
  

Eligibility

• The Texas notary commission requires that you reside in Texas, be at least 18 years of age and have no conviction for a felony or crime of moral turpitude. A crime of moral turpitude is one that reflects poorly on your capacity for honesty and integrity.
  
  

Application

• The application process to become a Texas notary public begins by completing what is known as Form 2301. This form is available from the Texas secretary of state's office, both from the agency's office and its Web site. The form requires you to provide basic information about yourself, including any criminal convictions. The form is submitted to the secretary of state's notary public unit, and a $21 filing fee must be paid at the time it's submitted.
  
  

Notary Public Bond

• Notary rules in Texas require that you obtain a $10,000 surety bond before you submit Form 2031, and the secretary of state's office provides a list of companies that offer notary public surety bonds. Provide a copy of the certificate for the surety bond when you submit Form 2031 to the secretary of state.
  
  

Seal or Stamp

• Once certified as a notary public, you must obtain a seal or stamp. According to Texas notary rules, "a notary public shall provide a seal of office that clearly shows, when embossed, stamped or printed on a document, the words 'Notary Public, State of Texas' around a star of five points, the notary public's name and the date the notary public's commission expires."