OR Notary Notary Journal Recordkeeping 2

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Retain the journal for 10 years from the date of the last entry

Answer

Submit the journal to the Oregon Secretary of State

Answer

Transfer the journal to a successor notary in their office

Answer

Destroy the journal to protect signers' personal information

Question 2

If a signer refuses to allow the notary to record their information in the journal, what should the Oregon notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarial act if the signer will not permit the required journal entry

Answer

Proceed without making a journal entry to accommodate the signer

Answer

Make an abbreviated entry that does not identify the signer

Answer

Note the signer's refusal and proceed with a partial entry

Question 3

Must an Oregon notary record the fee charged in their journal entry?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the fee charged (or notation that no fee was charged) must be included in the journal entry

Answer

Only if the fee exceeds $25

Answer

No — fee information is not a required journal element

Answer

Only for real estate-related notarial acts

Question 4

Is an Oregon notary required to provide a copy of a journal entry to a signer upon request?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a signer may request a copy of the journal entry relating to a specific notarial act performed for them

Answer

Yes — signers always have an unconditional right to a copy of their journal entry

Answer

No — journal entries are strictly confidential and cannot be shared with anyone

Answer

Only if a court orders the notary to produce the entry

Question 5

What format is required for an Oregon notary's paper journal?

Accepted Answer

A bound book with pre-numbered pages

Answer

Any notebook, including loose-leaf binders

Answer

An official form purchased from the Secretary of State

Answer

A three-ring binder with removable pages

Question 6

A person claims to be a law enforcement officer and demands an Oregon notary's journal without presenting a warrant or subpoena. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline to surrender the journal without proper legal process and explain the law

Answer

Immediately surrender the journal to maintain good relations with law enforcement

Answer

Destroy the journal to protect the signers' privacy

Answer

Allow viewing of the journal but not removal of it