Texas Notaries play a vital role in society. As authorized public officials, they serve the public as impartial witnesses to important legal and commercial transactions by verifying the identities of the individuals involved in notarizations and by witnessing them sign documents. Before you use a Texas notary locator to search for a notary near you, ask yourself the following five questions to decide what kind of notarization and which type of notary you need.
There may come a time when you ask yourself, “How do I find a Texas notary near me?” This article will offer advice on locating a Texas notary, mobile notary, or notary signing agent near your location using a notary locator.
Perhaps you have a simple one-page document to be notarized, or perhaps you have complex loan documents. In the latter case, you will want to find a notary signing agent who is trained in handling loan documents. Notary signing agents are hired to assist in the final stages of the loan process. A notary signing agent will often print loan documents, meet you at your house, show you where to sign, and notarize multiple signatures on several pages of documentation. The lender may provide you with a notary signing agent, or you may need to search for a notary using a Texas notary locator to find a notary signing agent on your own.
A non-mobile notary notarizes documents at a set location, such as a place of business, bank, or other institution. If you wish to secure the services of a non-mobile notary, you will need to travel to the notary. In the case of a bank, you may have to wait some time until the notary is available. In some cases, you can schedule an appointment ahead of time to cut down on your wait time. If you don’t have time to travel to a notary, you can choose the more convenient option of a mobile notary public. Mobile notaries will travel to you to perform a notarization at your place of business, your home, or another agreed upon location.
The maximum allowable fees a notary may charge for notarizing a signature are set by Texas statue. However, some notaries may charge more or less up to this maximum. Some notaries may waive notarization fees altogether. For instance, it is common for banks to provide free notary services to customers who maintain accounts there.
Although the maximum fees for notarization of a signature are set by Texas law, the fees a Texas mobile notary may charge for travel are not. Be aware that mobile notaries will likely charge you a travel fee in addition to the notarization fee. A Texas mobile notary may charge a set fee, or a fee per mile travelled, or both. A mobile notary may also charge extra for notarizations performed after business hours.
Before searching for a notary “near me” using a notary locator, you will also need to determine which type of notarization you need. There are several primary types of notarizations permitted in Texas:
Unless they are also licensed attorneys, notaries are prohibited from telling you which type of notarization you need. A Texas notary public can only describe what the notarizations are. The main purpose of notaries is to confirm the your identity. If you need help determining what type of notarization you need, contact an attorney to assist you. You can also contact the institution that drafted your document, the agency that will receive it, or a lawyer.
Do your documents require more than one signer? Then make sure all signers are available to attend the notarization and that each one has proper state-issued identification. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, a U.S. passport, and a state identification card, among others.
Once you have decided the answers to these questions, you can use a notary locator to find a notary near you. The American Association of Notaries (AAN) offers a Texas Notary Locator that will enable you to quickly and conveniently search for a notary public, mobile notary, or notary signing agent. Click here to access the notary locater
AAN’s Texas Notary Locator allows you to search by any of the following:
The Texas Notary Locator will also allow you to narrow your search by searching for notaries who have had their credentials and contact information verified by AAN. You can specifically search for a Texas notary with:
The Texas mobile notary locator also allows you, when searching for a notary public, to find a notary who is—
You can even narrow your search to only those notaries who have provided a photograph of themselves to the notary locator.
To find a notary in Texas, visit AAN’s Texas Notary Locator at the following URL: https://www.texasnotary.com/find-a-texas-notary.
If you’re interested in becoming a notary in Texas yourself, AAN can help. We have been assisting individuals with the notary application process since 1994. We can guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Click here to learn how to become a Texas notary with the help of AAN.
Legal Disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information. However, it is important to note that the information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions.