Record Book and Public Records

Tex. Gov't. Code Ann. §406.014 requires that a notary public maintain a record book. This record book must be maintained whether or not any fees are charged for your notary public services.

A notary public other than a court clerk notarizing instruments for the court shall keep in a book a record of:

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 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.

Entries in the notary's book are public information. A notary public shall, on payment of all fees, provide a certified copy of any record in the notary public's office to any person requesting the copy. A notary public who administers an oath pursuant to Article §45.019 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is exempt from the requirement of recording that oath in the notary public’s record book.