Do I need to keep a record book? What information should be included?

Yes. A Texas notary public is required to maintain a record book. This record book must be maintained whether or not any fees are charged for your notary public service. The following information must be included in the record book:

1. the date of each instrument notarized;
2. the date of the notarization;
3. the name of the signer, grantor, or maker;
4. the signer’s, grantor’s, or maker’s residence or alleged residence;
5. whether the signer, grantor, or maker is personally known by the notary public, was identified by an identification card issued by a United States federal or state governmental agency or a passport issued by the United States, or was introduced to the notary public and, if introduced, the name and residence or alleged residence of the individual introducing the signer, grantor, or maker;
6. if the instrument is proved by a witness, the residence of the witness, whether the witness is personally known by the notary public or was introduced to the notary public and, if introduced, the name and residence of the individual introducing the witness;
7. the name and residence of the grantee;
8. if land is conveyed or charged by the instrument, the name of the original grantee and the county where the land is located; and
9. a brief description of the instrument.

Tex. Gov’t Code §406.014

The person for whom a notarization is performed is not required to sign the record book.

A notary should not record any identification number that was assigned by a governmental agency or by the United States to the signer, grantor or maker on an identification card, driver’s license, social security card or passport; or any other number that could be used to identify the signer, grantor or maker of the document. 1 TAC §87.40. However, a notary is not prohibited from recording a number related to the residence or alleged residence of the signer, grantor or maker of the document or the instrument.