Notarized? Huh?

[Ruark]

What's this about some of the documentation being notarized? I didn't see any such thing. The DPS says the following documentation is required, in addition to the online application. I sent in all of it with no problems, but didn't see anything about any notarization...

Checklist (or your confirmation email containing the transaction barcode)
Electronic fingerprints submitted using FAST
CHL-6 Form (Photo Holder/ID Signature)
2 passport photos
CHL-100 Training Form (received from CHL instructor upon course completion)

[speedsix]

...there are three affidavits that you must sign, giving them permission to do the background check and as to your eligibility and the truthfulness of what you put on the application...these must be notarized...you can usually get them done for free where you took the class..a lot of instructors/ranges have a notary around...they'll send you a letter...your on-line status report will show incomplete...I failed to initial some stuff on a form and it cost me about 2 weeks delay...I got in a hurry to renew

[Keith B]

Your CHL-100 has to be notorized, but that should have be done by the CHL instructor or one he designates in the class before they hwere handed to.

[jchamb]

I did the online application same as you. My understanding is that there are some affidavits in the paper application that need to be notarized, but this is not required with an online app (unless there are special circumstances). If you look on the Texas CHL website at "downloadable forms" you'll see some "affidavits" which need to be notarized. Unless the DPS informs you otherwise, these are not normally required for an online app.

I just took the class, and mailed the items that you listed in your post. The CHL-100 does not need to be notarized. Any forms which require a notary are clearly marked with spaces for the notary to fill out regarding name, county, date and when the notary's licinse expires.

Anyway, just follow the instructions on you checklist and you'll probably see your CHL in about a month. That's what I did.

[speedsix]

...there are three affidavits that you must sign, giving them permission to do the background check and as to your eligibility and the truthfulness of what you put on the application...these must be notarized...you can usually get them done for free where you took the class..a lot of instructors/ranges have a notary around...they'll send you a letter...your on-line status report will show incomplete...I failed to initial some stuff on a form and it cost me about 2 weeks delay...I got in a hurry to renew

...my mistake...I did mine paper and saw where you said "sent in" and read right over "online application"...the letter DPS sent me in July said: "...All affidavits must be signed by you and completed by a notary public in and for the State of Texas." the one they sent back had been signed and notarized, all right, but out to the left were a bunch of slots to be initialed...and I missed 'em...they sent me a new copy of the form, rather than sending it back to have me initial it...and the new copy had changed so that no initials were needed...I had to drive 60 miles and have it notarized again...bureaucrats!!! They had no problem pen changing their form letter to me to cross out "initialed" and write signed under it to fit the new form...but they wouldn't ignore the uninitialed slots...which no longer apply....

[Keith B]

Sorry, afidavits have to be notorized, not the CHL-100.

[longtooth]

Disregard myPM. Egg on my face again. Man, I just get it clean & do it again.

[speedsix]

...don't feel at all bad...I feel it's a conspiracy to get rid of us old guys who can still read, write, and handle papers...they're giving the compooter generation breaks on-line that we don't get...trying to force us to go paperless, too...or in this case, less-paper...

[jchamb]

You're probably right, then along comes someone like me - a retired computer geek old guy, and fools them all

[speedsix]

...they're gonna keep it up till the only paperwork we can use is perforated every 4" and comes on a roll!!!

[Crossfire]

Just to clarify - If you do an online application, nothing needs to be notarized. If you do a paper application, 2 affidavits need to be notarized. In addition, you need to send in:

2 passport photos in an envelope with "Photos Enclosed" and your name on it
CHL-6 - signature template form
CHL-100 - Class Completion Form, signed by you and by your instructor
Fingerprints submitted electronically by L1

There may be other documents required. If you are applying for a military discount, for instance, you send in a copy of your DD-214, or LES and Military ID. The DPS website will have a checklist of required documents.

[speedsix]

...I musta been extra suspicious...they made me have THREE affidavits notarized...Eligibility, Knowledge of Laws, and Authorization for Release of Records...mine was a renewal...original applications might be different...

[Crossfire]

Knowledge of Laws and Eligibility have now been combined into one affidavit.