AL Notary Notary Record-Keeping and Journal 3

Question 1

What should an Alabama notary do with their journal when their commission expires and they do not renew?

Accepted Answer

Retain it personally in a secure location for the recommended retention period

Answer

Submit it to the Secretary of State's office

Answer

Destroy it immediately to protect privacy

Answer

Transfer it to the county probate judge

Question 2

An Alabama notary who performs a large volume of notarizations should consider:

Accepted Answer

Using numbered, sequential journal entries to maintain an unbroken chain of acts

Answer

Keeping separate journals for each type of document

Answer

Summarizing multiple acts in a single daily entry

Answer

Delegating journal-keeping to a staff member

Question 3

In which situation would an Alabama notary's journal be most valuable?

Accepted Answer

When a signer later claims they did not sign a document or were not present

Answer

When the notary needs to verify how many acts they performed last year

Answer

When calculating annual fee revenue

Answer

When renewing the notary commission

Question 4

An Alabama notary should use ink — not pencil — for journal entries because:

Accepted Answer

Ink entries cannot be erased and altered, protecting the integrity of the record

Answer

Alabama law specifically requires the use of black or blue ink

Answer

Pencil entries are not readable by courts

Answer

Ink dries faster and reduces smearing on legal forms

Question 5

If a signer refuses to allow a thumbprint to be recorded in the Alabama notary's journal, the notary should:

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the notarization using other identity verification, noting the refusal

Answer

Refuse to complete the notarial act

Answer

Require a second witness to substitute for the thumbprint

Answer

Cancel the notarization and report the refusal to authorities

Question 6

Which of the following is the BEST reason for an Alabama notary to keep detailed journal records?

Accepted Answer

To provide evidence of proper conduct if a notarial act is ever challenged in court

Answer

To track income for tax filing purposes

Answer

To demonstrate compliance with the Secretary of State's annual audit

Answer

To qualify for a higher notary fee schedule