GA Notary Journaling and Record Keeping 5

Question 1

A notary's journal is lost or stolen. What is the recommended course of action?

Accepted Answer

Report the loss to the appropriate state authority and take steps to prevent misuse of the records

Answer

Reporting a lost journal promptly alerts authorities and creates a record that the notary acted responsibly to prevent fraud using the stolen records.

Question 2

Under what circumstances may a member of the public legally inspect a notary's private journal?

Accepted Answer

Only with the notary's voluntary consent or under a lawful court order or subpoena

Answer

A notary's journal is generally private; access is granted voluntarily by the notary or compelled by legal process such as a court order or subpoena.

Question 3

When a commissioned notary dies, what should happen to their notary journal records?

Accepted Answer

They should be transferred to the county clerk, a successor notary, or the estate for the remainder of the retention period

Answer

Journal records retain evidentiary and legal value after a notary's death and must be preserved for the retention period by a responsible party.

Question 4

A document requires signatures from four co-signers all present at the same time. How many journal entries should the notary make?

Accepted Answer

One entry per signer — four separate entries for four signers

Answer

Each individual's signature is a separate notarial act with its own identity verification, so a distinct entry per signer is the best-practice standard.

Question 5

When a credible identifying witness vouches for a signer who lacks acceptable ID, what must the notary record in the journal?

Accepted Answer

The credible witness's name, relationship to the signer, and the ID the witness presented to the notary

Answer

Because the notary is relying on the witness's credibility, the journal must fully document who that witness is and how the notary verified the witness's identity.

(GA Notary) Georgia Notary Exam Practice Test

(GA Notary) Georgia Notary Exam Practice Test

GA Notary Journaling and Record Keeping 5