Bay City, TX · Matagorda County
Application for Annexation
A petition property owners file with the Bay City Secretary asking the City Council to annex vacant land adjoining the city limits into the city.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Landowners who want their property brought inside Bay City's boundaries use this eight-page packet to petition the City Council for annexation. It requires the surface owner, mineral owner, and any lien holders to be identified, and the petition itself is acknowledged before a notary under a Texas jurat, since it functions as a recorded instrument affecting real property in Matagorda County.
Who needs it
Landowners of vacant property contiguous to Bay City who want the land annexed into the city.
Why it needs a notary
The petition includes a Texas jurat ("THE STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF MATAGORDA §") under an Acknowledgements section that each surface, mineral, and lien-holder owner signs before a notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Petition
Get the Application for Annexation packet from the Bay City Development Services page.
- 2
Fill in Owner Information
Complete surface, mineral, and lien-holder details along with the legal description of the land.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Schedule a commissioned online notary session with Rush Notary.
- 4
Sign on Video
Verify your identity and sign the acknowledgment section live on video.
- 5
Submit to the City
File the notarized original and required copies with the Bay City Secretary along with the filing fee.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Bay City. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Bay City annexation petition need to be notarized?
- Yes. The petition includes a Texas acknowledgment block under 'THE STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF MATAGORDA §' that each surface, mineral, or lien-holder owner must sign before a notary.
- How do I notarize my annexation petition online?
- Upload the completed petition, verify your identity, and sign it live on video with a commissioned online notary, then download the notarized copy to file with the City Secretary.
- Do I need an attorney to file an annexation petition?
- The form notes the petitioner's attorney is responsible for preparing the application, petition, plat, and legal description, though the acknowledgment itself is signed by the property owner.
- Where do I submit the notarized petition?
- File the original with the Bay City Secretary at 1901 5th Street along with ten copies and the required filing fee; check with the city if you are unsure about current requirements.
- Can more than one owner sign the same petition?
- Yes, the acknowledgment section accommodates surface owners, mineral owners, and lien holders, each of whom may need to sign before a notary.