In order to charge the statutory fee, a notary must keep a record in a well-bound book of each of his or her attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication. A record of fees received should also be kept for income tax records. It is recommended that every notary keep a record of his or her acts in a well-bound book, which should include the following:

1. The date of the acknowledgment, affidavit or other transaction;
2. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized;
3. To whom the instrument is being executed;
4. A description, including the date, of the instrument;
5. Whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature (see definition of “satisfactory evidence,” discussed later); and
6. What fee, if any, was received.