Starting this year, Texas has introduced a rule that requires public notaries to include an identification number on any seals affixed to documents. Unlike other states, Texas is mandating that its notaries public use seals with the ID numbers, and if they do not comply, the documents will have insufficient authorization. This system will allow specific notaries to be identified through an online database by searching the identification number on the seal.

Public notaries in Texas must update their seals to contain the number at their next re-commissioning in 2016; they can do this through the seal supply companies by requesting to update the format to include an identification number. Texas hopes the notarization of deeds and other important documents will be more secure and streamlined with the new rules.