Is writing notation actually REQUIRED in tournaments?

Hello chess.com.  I have a legit question for you today. Is it required to write down notation in tournaments? Can you get disqualified if you don't writed own notation? I find it very annoying and distracting when playing because you have to worry about writing down the CORRECT move and if you accidently write down the wrong move then you get even more distracted.

Under USCF rules, you don't have to keep score for Blitz and Quick chess (less than game in 30 minutes per side). Longer than that, yes, you have to keep score. Exceptions are for disabled players and young players who haven't learned how to keep score yet. (The TD can waive the requirements for these young players at his discretion.)

If you're required to keep score and you simply refuse to do it, the TD can penalize you by subtracting time from your clock, and if that doesn't work, he can forfeit you.

Its to your benefit that you do. Yes it is required. Mainly its so you can claim 50 move rule draw by repetition

Well since I have a disability then I should ask to be excused from that because that is one of the reasons I have lost tournaments outside of chess.com.

Well just remember you won't be able to claim 50 move rule three fold or other claimed draws (except insufficient material. ) also remember you won't be able to claim perpetual either.

Eh its all good. I don't play for draws that much anyways.

I haven't checked the USCF rules, but if you have a disability that prevents you from writing then I would have thought you should be able to claim an exception.  Either that or have someone else write your moves for you.  Have you asked a TD about it?

I never knew until now that if I had a disability, then I could be exempted from writing down moves lol.

The TD can assign someone to take notation in case of disability, but the opponent has the right to have someone also write down his moves too.

Well, I doubt that just ANY disability would qualify you. The rule book mentions as examples, physical handicaps, visual impairment, and religious reasons. It would be up to the TD to decide if your disability really prevents you from keeping score. Even if you qualify, the TD would probably try to get someone to keep score for you.

Well I do remember my first tournament, the TD did say that because of my autism, I didn't need to write down notation.

All it says here under the official USCF rules regarding notation is that: 'You are required to take notation in most offical chess tournaments'.  Seems like it would probably be up to the TDs of the specific event.

That is true. I can understand major tournaments that will request it but for other smaller ones, they should make an exception.

I don't know who wrote that article, but those "official rules" are really just a bare-bones summary of the most important rules. The actual USCF rule book is over one inch thick and goes over 300 pages.

Yes, writing the moves is required. EscherehcsE explained it well. It is not distracting after it becomes routine.

I have recorded handicap games in which I have two minutes and my opponents have ten.

I run scholastic tournaments that follow USCF rules, but are NWSRS rated. We do not require score keeping in these. However, in our local scholastic tournaments, we offer incentives for those who keep score. Many do.

1) as others mentioned its required with a few exceptions

2) your excuse that you are distacted is only because you havent gotten comfortable with notation. if you write down your moves you will improve faster (review of your game is now possible) its a chicken -egg thing.

Notation does NOT have to be perfect. There are errors in writing moves down all the time. its ok. You are also allowed to look at your opponents score sheet to make corrections (entirely legal and actually required by uscf rules)

Does it really specify religious reasons?! I know some religions come up with crazy rules, but it's hard for me to imagine a situation where a religion would allow participation in a competitive chess tournament, but not writing down the moves! 

Well, no. I am used to writing down notation but I feel I can concentrate better without writing it down. Thing is, what about those people who cannot afford to have electronic notation devices? I can't.

Most people still use paper scoresheets and a pencil.

Yes that is what I do but it is still far too distracting.