TX Notary - Texas Notary Notary Record Book Requirements Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Texas notary is recording a notarization for a deed of trust, a document conveying real property. In addition to the standard required information for all notarial acts, what specific additional information must the notary record in their record book for this type of transaction?

Accepted Answer

The name of the original grantee and the county where the property is located.

Answer

According to Texas Government Code §406.014, when a document involves the conveyance of real property, the notary must record the name of the original grantee and the county where the land is located, in addition to all other standard entry requirements. Financial details like loan amounts are not required, recording ID numbers is prohibited, and Texas law specifically prohibits recording biometric identifiers like thumbprints in the notary record book.

Question 2

Which of the following pieces of information is a Texas notary public strictly PROHIBITED from recording in their notary record book?

Accepted Answer

The serial number from the signer's government-issued identification card.

Answer

Texas law explicitly prohibits a notary from recording an identification number assigned by a governmental agency, such as a driver's license or passport number, in their record book to protect the signer's personal information. The signer's address, the date of the document, and details of a credible witness are all required or permitted entries.

Question 3

A Texas notary's commission expired, and they chose not to renew. According to Texas law, what is the minimum required retention period for their notary record book?

Accepted Answer

For the longer of: the term of the commission in which the notarization occurred, or three years following the date of the notarization.

Answer

Texas law requires a notary to keep their record book in a safe and secure manner for the longer of either the term of the commission in which the act occurred or three years after the date of the notarization. While permanent retention is a best practice, it is not the legally mandated minimum. After the required period, the notary must turn the book over to their local county clerk's office if they choose not to keep it.

Question 4

A notary discovers their record book was stolen from their locked car. After filing a report with local law enforcement, what is the notary's IMMEDIATE required action according to the Texas Secretary of State?

Accepted Answer

Notify the Texas Secretary of State about the theft and obtain a new record book before resuming notarial duties.

Answer

If a notary's record book is lost or stolen, they must promptly notify the Secretary of State's office, providing details of the loss and a copy of the police report if stolen. A notary is prohibited from performing notarial acts without a record book, so they must obtain a new one before resuming their duties.

Question 5

Regarding the physical format of a notary record book, which of the following is permissible under Texas law for a traditional notary public?

Accepted Answer

An electronic record in a computer, provided it is securely backed up and can be printed.

Answer

Texas Government Code §406.014(e) and Texas Administrative Code 1 TAC 87.51[a] explicitly permit notaries to maintain their records electronically in a computer or other storage device. The key requirements are that the electronic records must be securely backed-up to prevent loss and must be capable of being printed in a tangible format upon request.

TX Notary - Texas Notary Exam Practice Test

TX Notary - Texas Notary Exam Practice Test

TX Notary - Texas Notary Notary Record Book Requirements Questions and Answers