Bill > HB3704

This bill introduces several significant changes to Texas notary public regulations, aimed at enhancing professional standards and accountability. The bill requires notaries to successfully complete education requirements for initial appointment and reappointment, with the Secretary of State mandated to establish and offer these courses (limited to two hours for appointment and two hours for reappointment). It creates a new criminal offense for notarizing documents when the signer does not personally appear, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, escalating to a state jail felony if the document involves real property transfer. The bill also expands the definition of "good cause" for disciplinary actions to include failure to maintain records, and mandates that notaries retain their records for ten years after notarization. Additionally, the bill clarifies what constitutes "personal appearance" for both in-person and online notarizations, providing specific guidelines for identification and interaction. The new regulations will apply to notary public applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, giving state officials time to develop the required education programs, with the act taking effect on September 1, 2025.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3704