Is a notary journal required in New York?

Asked by: Lindsey Gutierrez

No, a notary public in the State of New York is not required to maintain a notary journal.

Do notaries have to 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 in to the county clerk in the county in which the Notary’s current oath of office is on file.

What happens if I don’t turn in my notary journal?

If the notary public willfully fails or refuses to deliver all notarial records and papers to the county clerk within 30 days, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be personally liable for damages to any person injured by that action or inaction.”

Why is a notary Journal important?

A notary journal protects the public by providing evidence of what official actions the notary took and the manner in which the signer of the notarized document was identified.

What should be kept in a notary journal?

State Requirements For Notary Journal Entries

• The date and time the notarization took place.
• The type of notarization performed — such as, “Acknowledgment” or “Jurat”
• The type of document being notarized — for example “Deed of Trust” or “Power of Attorney”

How do I void a notary journal entry?

To correct an error in your journal, the NNA recommends that you draw a line through the mistake, initial it, and then make the correction. To void a notarization that was not completed, simply line through the journal entry, initial it, and make a notation explaining the reason the notarization was cancelled.

What do Notaries do with their books?

California requires its Notaries to keep all completed journals as long as they maintains 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 do I resign as a notary in NY?

Please send a letter to our office and include the following information:

1. Name as commissioned and Certificate number.
2. Attach the original Notary Commission Certificate OR state in the letter it is no longer in your possession.

Can I use white out in my notary journal?

A notary must never white-out any mistakes, errors, or other information in the notarial certificate.

How can you tell if a document is notarized?

How to Verify a Notarized Document Online

1. The document must be signed with the unique digital certificate of the notary who conducted the online notarization session.
2. The document must not be modified after the notarization session.
3. The document must include a note that the notarization was performed online.

Who can view entries in a notary journal?

Any member of the public may request a copy of an entry in a California Notary’s journal, but the request must be in writing and include the name of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year it was notarized (GC 8206[c]).

How do I fill out a notary journal for credible witness?

For two credible witnesses, the following information must be recorded in the journal:

1. The signature of each credible witness.
2. The type of written identification presented for each credible witness.
3. The serial or identifying number on each credible witness’ written identification.

Who is permitted to view all entries in the NSA notary journal?

Under Gov. Code 8206[d], notaries are not allowed to disclose the contents of their notary journals to anyone. The law states that the journal is the sole property of the notary.

Why should a notary signing agent learn about the closing documents?

Contracting companies want to ensure NSAs do not misdirect the borrower, or worse, create a legal liability for the contracting company or lender. If you cross the line in explaining documents, the contracting company will likely not hire you again.

What is the best way to address a borrower’s questions that the notary signing agent is not allowed to answer?

The best way to address a borrower’s questions that the Notary Signing Agent is not allowed to answer , is to: Recommend that the borrower contact the lender’s representative immediately before signing the documents.