OR Notary Notary Seal and Journal Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must appear on an Oregon notary's official seal?
- Notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Oregon' (Correct answer)
- Notary's name and home address only
- Commission number and county of residence only
- Notary's name and expiration date only
Correct answer: Notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Oregon'
Oregon requires the official notary seal to contain the notary's name, the title 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Oregon.'
Question 2: What shape is required for an Oregon notary's official seal?
- Rectangular or circular (Correct answer)
- Only circular
- Only rectangular
- Triangular
Correct answer: Rectangular or circular
Oregon allows the notary seal to be either rectangular or circular in shape.
Question 3: Is an Oregon notary required to keep a journal of notarial acts?
- Yes, notaries are encouraged or required to maintain a journal depending on act type (Correct answer)
- No, journals are optional and rarely used
- Only for real estate transactions
- Only for electronic notarizations
Correct answer: Yes, notaries are encouraged or required to maintain a journal depending on act type
Oregon notaries performing certain acts, especially remote online notarizations, are required to keep a journal; a journal is strongly recommended for all acts.
Question 4: What should an Oregon notary do if their official seal is lost or stolen?
- Notify the Secretary of State and obtain a replacement seal (Correct answer)
- Continue using a personal stamp until a replacement arrives
- Have the county recorder issue a temporary seal
- File a police report but no notification to the state is required
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and obtain a replacement seal
Oregon notaries must notify the Secretary of State promptly if their seal is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Question 5: Which of the following must be recorded in an Oregon notary journal entry?
- Date of the notarial act, type of act, and description of the document (Correct answer)
- The full text of the document being notarized
- The names of all parties to the transaction
- The fee charged by the notary
Correct answer: Date of the notarial act, type of act, and description of the document
Journal entries should include the date, type of notarial act performed, and a description of the document.
Question 6: How long must an Oregon notary retain their journal after the commission expires?
- At least 10 years (Correct answer)
- 1 year
- 5 years
- Indefinitely
Correct answer: At least 10 years
Oregon notary journals must be retained for at least 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in the journal.
OR Notary Notary Seal and Journal Requirements 1
What information must appear on an Oregon notary's official seal?