MA Notary Notary Journal and Record-Keeping 2

Question 1

Can a Massachusetts notary use a digital or electronic journal instead of a paper journal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, electronic journals are acceptable especially for electronic notarizations

Answer

Electronic journals are acceptable and particularly practical when performing electronic or remote online notarizations.

Question 2

What should a notary do if they discover an error in a completed journal entry?

Accepted Answer

Cross out the error with a single line and initial the correction

Answer

Errors in journal entries should be corrected by drawing a single line through the mistake, making the correction, and initialing it to maintain an accurate record.

Question 3

Should a Massachusetts notary record refused notarizations in their journal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, recording refusals documents the notary's proper exercise of judgment

Answer

Recording refusals protects the notary by showing they exercised proper judgment and declined improper requests.

Question 4

What is the purpose of having each signer sign the journal entry?

Accepted Answer

It provides additional evidence that the person appeared before the notary

Answer

A signer's signature in the journal corroborates that they personally appeared before the notary for that specific notarial act.

Question 5

If multiple documents are notarized for the same signer in one sitting, how should they be recorded?

Accepted Answer

A separate entry should be made for each document notarized

Answer

Each notarial act should have its own journal entry to maintain a complete and accurate record of every individual act performed.

MA Notary - Massachusetts Notary Exam Practice Test

MA Notary - Massachusetts Notary Exam Practice Test

MA Notary Notary Journal and Record-Keeping 2