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Notary Bulletin

How Do I Update My Notary Information If I Get Married?

By NNA Staff on August 25, 2015 in Hotline Tips

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I have recently married and changed my name. I need a new Notary stamp to reflect it but how do I do this? — S.C., Arlington, TX

In order to obtain a Notary stamp in your new name you must change your name on your commission by filing a name change form (Form 2305) that you can download from the Secretary of State’s website. Technically, you aren’t required to change the name on your current commission after you marry as long as you continue to use the name on your current commission and Notary seal for all official acts until your commission expires.

You may change the name on your commission by submitting the following to the Secretary of State:

• A completed Form 2305,

• Your original Notary commission,

• A rider or endorsement to your Notary bond from the bond agency or surety, and

• A $20 filing fee.

All four of these items must be sent at the same time. Instructions are provided on Form 2305.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT; Saturday, 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT. After hours you can send a message to our Notary experts at Hotline@NationalNotary.org, and you will receive a response the next business day.

6 Comments

Add your comment

Christina Tank

31 Aug 2015

But what this does NOT tell you is you must notify the Secretary of State regardless of whether you choose to keep using your old name until your commission expires or get a new one, or at least in California you do. Its a fine if you do not.

Michael Burnett

31 Aug 2015

I would like to read this article

Amanda Velasquez

23 Dec 2016

If you don't want to pay the $20 to update the name, and just wait till it's at renewal to do so, how do you just let them know that your name changed? I don't want to not follow the rules if I'm supposed to let them know I got married.

National Notary Association

28 Dec 2016

Hello Amanda. According to the instructions on the Form 2305 name change form provided by the Texas Secretary of State's office, the name change procedure is optional and a Notary may continue to sign the name on his or her commission until the commission expires, and then change the name upon commission renewal. You can find a link to the Form 2305 here if you wish to read further: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/statforms.shtml#NPUF. Please note that the Hotline question answer above is specifically for Texas and other state requirements may be different.

Renee

12 Feb 2019

What is a rider or endorsement

National Notary Association

12 Feb 2019

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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