OR Notary Notary Journal Recordkeeping

Question 1

Is an Oregon notary required to maintain a journal of notarial acts?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Oregon law requires notaries to keep a chronological journal of all notarial acts

Answer

No — journal maintenance is optional in Oregon

Answer

Only if the notary charges a fee for services

Answer

Only for real estate-related notarial acts

Question 2

Which of the following must be recorded in an Oregon notary's journal for each act?

Accepted Answer

The date, type of notarial act, name of the signer, and type of identification used

Answer

The signer's Social Security number

Answer

The full text of the document notarized

Answer

The names and contact information of all document signatories

Question 3

How long must an Oregon notary retain their journal after their commission expires or is terminated?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

5 years

Answer

The journal does not need to be retained after commission ends

Question 4

What should an Oregon notary do if they are asked to show their journal to a person claiming to be a law enforcement officer?

Accepted Answer

Request to see proper credentials and, if appropriate, comply with a valid legal process or subpoena

Answer

Immediately hand over the journal without question

Answer

Refuse to show the journal under any circumstances

Answer

Destroy the journal to prevent unauthorized access

Question 5

May an Oregon notary keep their journal in an electronic format?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Oregon allows electronic journal formats if they meet security and accessibility requirements

Answer

No — Oregon requires a paper-bound journal only

Answer

Yes — but only for RON acts; in-person acts require paper journals

Answer

Only if approved by the Secretary of State on a case-by-case basis

Question 6

What is the correct action for an Oregon notary when they make an error in a journal entry?

Accepted Answer

Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial the correction

Answer

Use correction fluid (white-out) to cover the error

Answer

Tear out the page and rewrite the entry

Answer

Leave the error in place because journal entries cannot be changed