Notary Public Permit Requirements in El Paso, TX

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Texas Notary Commission

   Apply to the Texas Secretary of State for a 4-year notary commission through the SOS Notary Portal. Requirements: Texas resident, at least 18, no felony or crime-of-moral-turpitude convictions, completion of the SOS Notary Education Requirement (online, via the Notary Portal), and a $10,000 surety bond from a licensed Texas surety. Statutory filing fees total $21. There is no exam.

   Official government source

   $21 (filing fee) + bond cost·6–8 weeks

   $21 (filing fee) + bond cost

   6–8 weeks

2. Texas Notary Surety Bond ($10,000)

   Required for all Texas notaries. The bond must be filed with the Secretary of State.

   Official government source

   $30–$60 for 4 years·1–3 days

   $30–$60 for 4 years

   1–3 days

3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Recommended)

   While not required in Texas, E&O insurance protects notaries from financial losses due to unintentional mistakes. Coverage of $25,000–$100,000 typically costs $40–$80/year. The National Notary Association offers bundled packages.

   $40–$80/year·Immediate

   $40–$80/year

   Immediate

1. City of El Paso - No General Business License Required

   The City of El Paso does not require a general business license. The city licenses only specific business categories - e.g., food establishments, vendors, tattoo/body-piercing studios and artists, security alarm systems, boarding/lodging houses, credit access businesses, secondhand and motor vehicle dealers, sexually oriented businesses, flea market operators, contractors, and adult-care/child-care home occupations. A business outside those categories needs no city operating license; the operative city requirement for a commercial location is a Certificate of Occupancy from the Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop, 811 Texas Ave., 915-212-0104). If operating under a trade name, file an Assumed Name Certificate with the El Paso County Clerk. A notary (commissioned by the Texas Secretary of State) needs no El Paso license of any kind.

   Official government source

   $0 - no general business license exists in El Paso·1–3 weeks

   $0 - no general business license exists in El Paso

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Texas — Notary Public Requirements
• Texas Secretary of State

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