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Notary renewal: your first day to apply, by state

Notary renewal is a new application to your state before your commission expires. Texas, New York and Pennsylvania open it 90 days before expiration; California and Florida set no first day but advise starting about 6 months ahead, and Illinois mails a notice about 60 days before. Enter your date below for your own timeline.[1][2][3][5][6][7]

By the Notary Renewal by State team · Updated · 15 sources

When can I renew my notary commission?

Choose your state and enter the expiration date printed on your commission. The plan shows your first day to apply, what the state asks for and your first steps.

You can apply to renew now

You may apply for reappointment no earlier than 90 days before your commission expires, on a new application (Gov't Code §406.011(a)).

Your commission expires February 10, 2027, 87 days from today. You cannot notarize after that date.

Texas renewal at a glance
Course on renewalYes, 2 hours max
Exam on renewalNo
FingerprintsNo
Bond$10,000, filed with the Texas Secretary of State (with the application)
State fee$21
Oath and bond deadlineNo day limit stated (check with the Texas Secretary of State)

Your first 3 steps

  1. Sign in to the SOS Notary Portal and find your notary profile.
  2. Pay for and pass the Secretary of State's notary education course.
  3. Buy a new $10,000 bond and get the Proof of Bond form 2301-B from the surety.

You file with the state yourself: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Unit. Full rules: Texas notary renewal.

Example shown for a commission expiring February 10, 2027, as of 2026-11-15. The planner runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere. General information, not legal advice: see the legal disclaimer.

Paid kit · $19: Notary Renewal Kit: your personal renewal timeline, checklist and calendar dates

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On this page
  1. Notary public renewal at a glance
  2. How to renew a notary commission without a gap
  3. Renew notary rules by state
  4. FAQ
  5. Sources

Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.

Notary public renewal at a glance

A notary public renewal works the same way everywhere: you meet your state's requirements again and the state issues a new commission, usually for 4 years. What differs is timing and what you must redo. All the states below use 4-year terms.[1][14]

Notary renewal rules by state (read 2026-11-15)
StateApply fromCourseExamState fee
New York90 days before expirationNoNo$60
Texas90 days before expirationYes, 2 hours maxNo$21
FloridaNo earliest day in the lawNoCheck with the Florida Department of State notary section$39
IllinoisNo first day publishedYesYes$15
CaliforniaNo earliest day in the lawYes, 3 hoursYes$40
Colorado90 days before expirationYesYes$10
North CarolinaNo first day publishedNoYes$50
New JerseyNo first day publishedYesCheck with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services$25
Georgia30 days before expirationYesNo$40–$55
Pennsylvania90 days before expirationYes, 3 hoursNo$42

Bond, fingerprints, oath deadlines and seals for each state are compared on how to renew a notary commission.

How to renew a notary commission without a gap

To renew without a gap, count back from your expiration date: the date on your commission, not the day you were sworn in. Then work out what has to happen first.

  1. Find your first day to apply. In Texas and New York it is 90 days before expiration; an application sent earlier is too early.[1][2]
  2. Do the course or exam first. Texas wants its course passed before reappointment; California's course, exam and fingerprints all come before the commission is issued.[9][5]
  3. Apply before you expire. In California the 3-hour refresher only counts if you apply before expiration; after that it is the 6-hour course.[8]
  4. Finish the oath step. California gives you 30 days to file the oath and bond with the county clerk; New York has you upload a new oath with the renewal.[13][2]

Renew notary rules by state

Each state guide has the full rule table with the statute behind each row, the state's own steps and what to do after a lapse:

In Texas and California the seal, and in New York the text under your signature, shows the expiration date, so it changes at renewal.[1][15][14] We read each state's notary pages and statutes on 2026-11-15 and update this table when a state changes its rules.

Frequently asked questions

How early can I renew my notary commission?

It depends on the state: 90 days before expiration in Texas and New York. California and Florida set no first day; California advises taking the exam at least 6 months ahead and Florida suggests applying about 6 months ahead.[1][2][5][6]

Do notaries have to take a class to renew?

In some states. California (a 3-hour refresher), Illinois (the required course of study) and Texas (the Secretary of State's own course) require one; New York and Florida do not.[8][10][9][12]

Do I have to retake the notary exam to renew?

In California and Illinois, yes: every renewing notary passes an exam again. Texas has a course assessment but no separate exam, and New York and Florida have neither on renewal.[11][10][9][2]

What happens if I let my notary commission expire?

You cannot notarize until a new commission is issued, and some states treat you as a new applicant: in California the 6-hour course replaces the refresher, and in Texas the new 4-year term runs from the day you qualify again.[8][1]

Sources

  1. Texas Government Code, Chapter 406: Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds · Texas Legislature, 2026-11-15
  2. Renew or Update Notary Public License · New York Department of State, 2026-11-15
  3. 4 Pa. Code Chapter 167: Notaries Public · Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin, 2026-11-15
  4. Notary regulation changes (effective March 28, 2026) · Pennsylvania Department of State, 2026-11-15
  5. Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions · California Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  6. Governor's Reference Manual for Notaries (12-17-19) · Executive Office of the Governor of Florida, 2026-11-15
  7. Notary Public (Index Department), copy archived October 4, 2026 · Illinois Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  8. Checklist: Complete approved education · California Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  9. How to submit or renew a traditional notary application (guide, rev. 12/16/2025) · Texas Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  10. Illinois Notary Public Handbook (March 2026, includes 5 ILCS 312), copy archived October 4, 2026 · Illinois Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  11. Checklist: Take the exam · California Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  12. Florida Statutes §668.50 (2026) · Florida Legislature, 2026-11-15
  13. Checklist: Oath and bond · California Secretary of State, 2026-11-15
  14. Notary Public License Law (September 2026): Executive Law §§130–137 and 19 NYCRR Part 182 · New York Department of State, 2026-11-15
  15. 2026 Notary Public Handbook (includes the Government Code text) · California Secretary of State, 2026-11-15