Recording an online-notarized document in Harris County, Texas

The recording office

Office

Harris County Clerk's Office, Real Property Department

Official website

www.cclerk.hctx.net/RealProperty.aspx

Address

201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002 (downtown office)

Phone

(713) 274-8600

eRecording

Accepted via Corporation Service Company (CSC), eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile

Remotely notarized documents

The county site doesn't mention remote online notarization. It says electronically submitted real property documents are accepted only through its e-recording system, via an eRecord provider, and only from the filers listed in Local Government Code § 195.003. Documents must be in the queue before 2:00 p.m. Central to be processed the same business day.

The county calls its vendor list a partial list of known vendors.

Texas online notarization rules

Can Texas notaries notarize online? Yes. Tex. Gov't Code ch. 406, subch. C (§ 406.101 et seq.). § 406.110(a): an online notary may notarize regardless of whether the principal is physically located in Texas. § 406.111: online fee up to $25 in addition to § 406.024 fees.

Maximum fee for a remote notarization: $25 + regular Notary fee.

Online notarizations from other states: Texas recognizes online notarizations that are properly performed by notaries of other states. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 121.001 & 121.004.

Full details, with statute citations: online notarization in Texas.

What you'll need to record it

1. The notarized document itself. An online notarization produces an electronic document. Harris County accepts electronic recording through Corporation Service Company (CSC), eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile, so a title company or eRecording vendor can usually submit the electronic file directly.
2. Recording fees. Fees are set by the county and state and change; check the current fee schedule on the official Harris County Clerk's Office, Real Property Department site before you submit.
3. Any required state forms for your document type (for example, transfer or property-tax forms for deeds). The county site lists what it requires.
4. Confirmation the recipient accepts it. The receiving office or party decides whether to accept a remotely notarized document. If unsure, call the office before your notary session.

This page combines facts from the county's official site with Texas's rules as summarized on our state page. It is not legal advice.