What is the primary purpose of a notary journal?
A notary journal provides a record of notarial acts for legal and accountability purposes.
Which of the following entries is typically required in a notary journal?
Essential elements include the date/time, type of act, signer info, and ID details.
What should a notary do if a signer refuses to provide a thumbprint when it’s required?
In jurisdictions requiring a thumbprint, refusal by the signer should result in refusal to notarize.
How long should a notary typically retain their journal after their commission ends?
Most states require notaries to keep their journals for several years after their commission ends, commonly 7–10 years.
What should a notary do if their journal is lost or stolen?
Notaries must report a lost or stolen journal to the appropriate state agency promptly.
When must a notary make a journal entry?
A journal entry should be made at the time of the notarial act, not before or after.
Loading Questions...
What is the proper way to correct a mistake in a journal entry?
Crossing out with a single line and initialing preserves record integrity.
What must be included in the journal for ID verification?
Journals should include the type of ID, issuing authority, ID number, and expiration.
Who is responsible for keeping custody of the notary journal?
The notary must maintain exclusive control of their journal, even if employed.