Q: As a Notary Public, am I required to keep a Notary journal?
A: As a Notary Public, you may or may not be required to keep a notary journal - it depends on which state you are commissioned in. Each state has laws dictating whether or not a notary journal is required, and if so, what the requirements for that notary journal are. We will categorize the states by requirement, but suggest that you contact your Secretary of State to make sure you are compliant with all laws and regulations in your state
Advice from a Notary Public
"While you may live in a state that doesn't require you to keep a notary journal, it is still smart from a business point of view to keep a log. This log should contain some of the most useful information, including the name of the signer, the date the notarial act was performed, and the fee collected for the job at hand (I find it much easier to crunch numbers at the end of the month when I have a quick way to see how much I charged per signing and just add it all up)"
- Nick Colvill, Certified Signing Agent in California
States in which a notary journal are NOT required:
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware*
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine*
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio*
Oklahoma*
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
* Denotes special circumstances that may require the use of a journal. Please consult your Secretary of state for specific laws and regulations
States in which a notary journal ARE required:
Arizona
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia