Your Cookies are Disabled! NationalNotary.org sets cookies on your computer to help improve performance and provide a more engaging user experience. By using this site, you accept the terms of our cookie policy. Learn more.

Menu
National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Should I record a signer's license number in my journal?

By NNA Staff on May 17, 2022

Do I write the signer's driver license number in the journal entry? — G. C., Florida

The State of Florida does not require Notaries to keep a journal for traditional notarizations. In situations where state law does not address this issue, we recommend that you keep a journal but for privacy reasons note just the type of ID and expiration date. 

Notaries in other states should follow their commissioning state's laws regarding entering ID numbers in a journal entry. 

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.




View All: Hotline Tips

6 Comments

Add your comment

Jack Crawford

21 Mar 2023

I am a CA notary. The instructions in the front of the NNA Notary Journal with sample entries shows that we should record the type of ID along with the number and expiration date, so that's what I do.

National Notary Association

14 Apr 2023

Hello. In California, Notaires must record a statement regarding the type of satisfactory evidence relied on to identify the signer in their journal entry (GC 8206[a]).

Keli

02 May 2023

Hi, does Indiana prohibit notaries from documenting the signer's drivers license number in journal?

National Notary Association

04 May 2023

Hello. In Indiana, “A notary public (other than a court clerk notarizing instruments for the court) shall not record in the notary’s record journal: “(1) an identification number that was assigned by a governmental agency or by the United States to the principal and that is set forth on the identification card or passport presented as identification; “(2) any other number that could be used to identify the principal of the document; or “(3) a biometric identifier, including a fingerprint, voice print, and retina or iris image” (75 IAC 7-6-1[a]). “This section does not prohibit a notary public from recording a number related to the mailing address of the principal of the document or the instrument” (75 IAC 7-6-1[b]). “A notary public who inadvertently records information prohibited under subsection (a) must redact such information prior to providing public access to or copies of the notary record book” (75 IAC 7-6-1[d]).

Kate

13 Oct 2023

Hello, I am in New York and I am unclear as to whether it is illegal to record an ID # in a Notary Journal. I understand it's not required, however is there a law stating that it is prohibited in New York?

National Notary Association

16 Oct 2023

Hello. You have a responsibility to protect the privacy of your signers and should not ask for sensitive personal information for a journal entry unless required.

Leave a Comment

Required *

All comments are reviewed and if approved, will display.

Close