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

Oregon law requires all commissioned notaries to maintain a chronological journal of every notarial act they perform.

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

Required journal entries in Oregon include the date, type of act, the name of the person whose signature was notarized, and the method used to identify the signer.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

Oregon requires notaries to retain their journals for 10 years from the date of the last entry, even after the commission has ended.

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

A notary should verify credentials and comply with valid legal process — but is not required to surrender the journal without proper legal authority.

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

Oregon allows notaries to maintain electronic journals as long as they meet the required security and accessibility standards.

OR Notary - Oregon Notary Exam Practice Test

OR Notary - Oregon Notary Exam Practice Test

OR Notary Notary Journal Recordkeeping