The Best Notary Public Record Book

Buying Guide

The designation of notary public comes with serious responsibility. You’ll have to follow all local laws when you notarize documents, including verifying the identity of those whose documents you’re notarizing.

But one of the most laborious tasks related to being a notary is recordkeeping. You, as the notary, will need to be able to answer for any documents you’ve notarized. If an issue arises, it’s important that you absolve yourself from responsibility by showing that you followed all local laws in performing your duties.

The best way to document your notarial activities is through the use of a record book. Some states allow you to keep this record electronically, but in others, it will have to be a bound journal. Even when electronic documents are allowed, though, it may be easier to rely on pen and paper, especially if you’re often asked to notarize documents on the go. You won’t always have access to the recordkeeping documents you use to record your notary activities. A notary book can help you keep track of the documents you notarize, both for your own tracking purposes and for backup in case you ever need it.

You’ll have a wide range of choices when you’re ready to buy a notary public record book. It’s important to consider your own unique preferences while also keeping an eye on local laws. You can find a journal that will track things the way you prefer to track them. Some have larger signature lines than others, for instance, and some have more records per page than others.

When looking at a notary book, pay close attention to the binding. You’ll likely want a book with binding that’s built to last, but it can also come in handy to have binding that allows you to lay the book flat. This can make recordkeeping easier.

• Before you buy a notary record book, check your own state’s laws to make sure you’re getting one that keeps you in compliance. Laws for recordkeeping can vary dramatically from one state to the next, so it’s important to pay attention to what your local government requires.
• Securing your notary record book is essential. If the information falls into the wrong hands, you could be seen as negligent. Some states have laws stating that notaries must keep records “under lock and key” when not in use. Find a safe place to store it and keep the key in a secret but accessible location.
• In some cases, you’re asked to turn your notary records into your state’s commissioning authority. Check your state’s laws on this.
• Security is a top priority with notarizing documents. To protect the privacy of previous clients, try to avoid showing the information to the next person whose documents you’re notarizing. You can use cardboard to cover it for privacy. Some record books provide one record per page to offer this type of security.
• Each record book has a set number of pages, with a number of records per page. Consider how frequently you’ll use your notary public designation. If you’ll be notarizing often, you might find a book that gives you plenty of entries will be more convenient than keeping up with numerous books.
• If you’re new to notarizing, some record books provide instructions to make it easy for beginners.
• The integrity of your records is important, but paper and ink can degrade over time. Acid-free paper can help keep records fresh in case you’re called to provide the information.
• You’ll find a wide range of covers on record books. Some are more whimsical than others, but you might prefer to express your personal style with your recordkeeping.
• Make sure your contact information is logged in the book somewhere. If your book should somehow become lost, this will make it easier to track it back to you.