NNA Notary Journal Requirements 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When should a journal entry be completed?
- At the end of the week
- At the time of the notarization, before or while the act is performed (Correct answer)
- Only if the signer asks
- After the document is recorded at the county
Correct answer: At the time of the notarization, before or while the act is performed
Entries should be made at the time of the act so details are accurate and the signer can sign in person.
Question 2: A notary performs a jurat. Besides the signer's signature, what should the journal show?
- That an oath or affirmation was given (Correct answer)
- The signer's bank account number
- The text of the oath for every signer
- Nothing, since jurats don't need entries
Correct answer: That an oath or affirmation was given
For a jurat, the journal should note that an oath or affirmation was administered as part of the act.
Question 3: A signer is personally known to the notary. What should the journal entry show for identification?
- Leave the ID section blank
- Write "personally known" as the method of identification (Correct answer)
- Ask for an ID anyway and record only the number
- Note the signer's address only
Correct answer: Write "personally known" as the method of identification
Personal knowledge is a valid method of identification and should be noted as the method used.
Question 4: In states that set notary fees, what should the journal note about the fee?
- Nothing
- The fee charged, or that no fee was charged (Correct answer)
- Only fees over $10
- The notary's hourly rate
Correct answer: The fee charged, or that no fee was charged
Recording the fee, including no-charge acts, shows the notary complied with the state's maximum fees.
Question 5: A law enforcement officer with a valid subpoena asks for the notary's journal. What should the notary do?
- Refuse in all circumstances
- Comply as required by law, and ideally keep a record of what was surrendered (Correct answer)
- Give away the journal permanently without any record
- Destroy the requested pages
Correct answer: Comply as required by law, and ideally keep a record of what was surrendered
Notaries must comply with lawful subpoenas or court orders, and should document the journal's release.
Question 6: Why should a notary never let a signer take the journal out of the notary's sight?
- The signer might lose their pen
- The signer could alter entries or view other signers' private information (Correct answer)
- It's against seal rules
- It voids the commission automatically
Correct answer: The signer could alter entries or view other signers' private information
Keeping the journal under the notary's control protects its integrity and the privacy of other signers.
Question 7: Which entry best describes a document in the journal?
- "Paper"
- "Grant Deed dated 03/14/2026" (Correct answer)
- "Stuff for the bank"
- "See file"
Correct answer: "Grant Deed dated 03/14/2026"
A good description gives the document's title or type and date so it can be identified later.
NNA Notary Journal Requirements 5
When should a journal entry be completed?