FREE IL-Notary Notary Journal Record-Keeping Standards Questions and Answers

Question 1

In Illinois, for which type of notarial act is a notary PUBLIC required by law to keep a journal record?

Accepted Answer

For any notarization involving an electronic signature or document.

Answer

For all notarial acts.

Answer

Only for real estate transactions.

Answer

For acknowledgments and jurats on paper documents.

Question 2

If an Illinois notary chooses to maintain a journal for paper notarizations, what is the most important reason for doing so?

Accepted Answer

To serve as credible evidence in case a notarization is questioned or challenged.

Answer

To track income for tax purposes.

Answer

To meet a requirement for renewing their commission.

Answer

To create a mailing list of clients.

Question 3

Which of the following pieces of information is considered essential to include in a notary journal entry?

Accepted Answer

The fee charged for the notarial act.

Answer

The signer's phone number.

Answer

The signer's occupation.

Answer

The name of the person who referred the signer.

Question 4

How should an Illinois notary secure their journal?

Accepted Answer

It must be kept in a secure, locked area under the exclusive control of the notary.

Answer

It must be filed with the county clerk's office annually.

Answer

It can be left in a public area of the notary's office for easy access.

Answer

It can be shared with other notaries in the same office.

Question 5

A signer requests a copy of a journal entry for a notarization you performed for them six months ago. According to best practices, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Provide a certified copy of the line item entry pertaining to their specific transaction.

Answer

Refuse the request, as the journal is confidential.

Answer

Give them the entire original journal to look through.

Answer

Provide a copy of the entire page, including entries for other signers.

Question 6

If an Illinois notary who performs electronic notarizations ceases to be a notary, what must they do with their electronic journal?

Accepted Answer

Transmit it to the Illinois Secretary of State or an approved repository.

Answer

Delete the journal to protect privacy.

Answer

Transfer it to another notary in their office.

Answer

Print a hard copy and store it for one year.