Relating to proof of identity of a person making an acknowledgment of a written instrument, the official text

H.B. No. 4202

AN ACT

relating to proof of identity of a person making an acknowledgment

of a written instrument.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 121.005(a), Civil Practice and Remedies

Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) An officer may not take the acknowledgment of a written

instrument unless the officer knows or has satisfactory evidence

that the acknowledging person is the person who executed the

instrument and is described in it. An officer may accept, as

satisfactory evidence of the identity of an acknowledging person,

only:

(1) the oath of a credible witness who:

(A) is personally known to the officer; or

(B) provides the officer with a current

identification card or other document issued by the federal

government or any state government that contains the photograph and

signature of the witness;

(2) a current identification card or other document

issued by the federal government or any state government that

contains the photograph and signature of the acknowledging person;

or

(3) with respect to a deed or other instrument

relating to a residential real estate transaction, a current

passport issued by a foreign country.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4202 was passed by the House on May

10, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4202 was passed by the Senate on May

28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor