Do notaries need to keep a journal?
Asked by: Marvin Abshire | Last update: April 6, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (9 votes)
Yes. Most states require or strongly recommend that Notaries own and maintain a journal or record book of the acts they perform.
Should a notary keep a journal?
In California, Notaries are required to keep their journals for as long as they remain Notaries. Once they stop being a Notary, they must turn their journals over to the county clerk in the county in which the Notary's current oath of office is on file.
Does a notary have to keep a log?
States That Require Notary Publics To Keep a Record Book:
California. Colorado. Delaware. District of Columbia.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
How long do I need to keep my notary journal?
California requires its Notaries to keep all completed journals as long as they maintain a current Notary commission. California Notaries whose commissions end without being renewed must turn in their journals within 30 days to the county clerk's office where their oath of office is on file.
How to Choose a Notary Journal
What happens if I don't turn in my notary journal?
Willful failure to deliver the notary journal and other notarial records to the county clerk within the appropriate time is a misdemeanor, and the notary public is personally liable for damages to any person injured by the non-delivery. (California Government Code section 8209(a).)
Do notary certificates expire?
Notary commissions are given for a prescribed time period. In California, the period is four years. The commission is accompanied by a notary seal or stamp, which has the commission number and the date of expiration.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
- Steady income can be difficult.
- You could be sued for a lot of money.
- Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.
What makes a notary invalid?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.
What must be recorded in a notary journal?
- Notarial Act: ...
- Title of Document: ...
- Identity of Signer. ...
- Date and Time: ...
- Notary Fee: The “Fee” column cannot be left blank. ...
- Signature of Signer: Every signer must sign/mark the notary's journal. ...
- Thumbprint:
How to dispose of a notary journal?
- In California, you must hand over the journals to the county clerk.
- In Hawaii, they need to be given to the Attorney General's office.
- In Colorado, they need to be handed over to the Secretary of State's office.
Can you notarize a document after signing?
No, notarization rules vary by jurisdiction. Some states, like California, require the notary to witness the signature, whereas others, like Texas, allow acknowledgment of a pre-existing signature.
How to void a notary journal entry?
You can void out the journal entry. By drawing a single line through the entry and write “VOID”. In addition, we recommend adding a notation stating why the entry was voided.
Do Notaries have to keep a log?
A notary public is responsible for keeping a journal of all the notary acts they perform. It is very important to correctly maintain your notary public journal. If you don't, you could get in trouble.
Can Notaries share a journal?
Also, you should never let unauthorized persons look randomly through your journal for information. California requires Notaries to only provide information in a journal entry to individuals who submit a written request that includes information about the notarizations in question.
What do you do when you make a mistake in your Notary journal?
The simplest way to make the correction is as follows (note: for the purpose of describing these tips, we'll assume you are using the NNA's Official Journal of Notarial Acts): Line through the incorrect information. Write the correct information in the same box, if there is room to write it legibly.
How often do notaries make mistakes?
Notary mistakes and errors increase the number of rejected documents. Most rejected documents contain minor or major notarization mistakes. On average, 30% of notarized documents contain mistakes. But depending on your county and state, this rejection rate can vary.
Why would a notary be denied?
These may include: The signer is not physically present (unless the Notary is performing a remote online notarization) The signer cannot be properly identified. The signer does not speak the same language as the Notary.
Can you fold a notarized document?
You can do this by folding or flipping the pages, without removing the staple. When a certified document has been tampered with, the only remedy is to start the entire notarization, county and/or state certification process all over again.
Is it stressful to be a notary?
Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.
What type of notary makes the most money?
#1: Loan Signing Agent
One of the most lucrative ways to make money as a notary public is by becoming a loan signing agent.
Is notary a side hustle?
Why becoming a Notary is the ultimate side gig. Whether you're looking for a way to work from home or a part-time job to get you out of the house, you should consider becoming a Notary first. A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities.
Can you edit a document after it's been notarized?
In most states, a notary public must never change, correct, or amend a notarial certificate at a later date. Such alterations can only be made at the time of the execution of the notarization when the principal signer is present.
Are notaries obsolete?
Notarization has not changed substantially over the past several hundred years, no matter how we change the way we do business. The essentials have been outlined in “How to notarize a document in 5 steps.” Yet the modern world often presents Notaries with situations that can trip up even the most experienced Notary.
How long is a notarized document valid in Canada?
In Canada, a notarized document does not expire.
There is no expiration date associated with the notary stamp or seal. As long as the traditional or online notary had a valid commission by the Provincial or Territorial government, your document will remain valid.