PA Notary Journal & Records 2

Question 1

A notary performs a Remote Online Notarization (RON) for a signer located in another country. In addition to the standard journal entry requirements, what specific notation must be included in the notarial certificate for this act?

Accepted Answer

That the notarial act was performed by means of communication technology.

Answer

Pennsylvania law requires that for any remote online notarization, the certificate of notarial act must include a statement indicating that the act was performed using communication technology. While other details are important for the overall record, this specific statement is a required part of the notarial certificate itself.

Question 2

A notary discovers their bound, paper journal is missing and likely stolen. According to Pennsylvania law, what is the required timeframe for notifying the Department of State?

Accepted Answer

Promptly, and no later than 15 days from the date of discovery.

Answer

Pennsylvania statute 57 Pa.C.S. 319(d) mandates that if a journal is lost or stolen, the notary public must promptly notify the department upon discovering the loss. Other sources clarify this timeframe as being within 15 days from the date of discovery.

Question 3

When a signer is identified through a credible witness who is personally known to the notary, which of the following is a specific requirement for the journal entry in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

A separate journal entry must be made for administering the oath to the credible witness.

Answer

The act of administering an oath or affirmation to a credible witness is, itself, a notarial act. Therefore, it requires its own separate, chronological entry in the notary's journal, distinct from the entry for the primary notarial act being performed for the principal signer.

Question 4

A person requests a certified copy of a specific entry from a notary's journal from two years ago. Which of the following actions is the notary required to take?

Accepted Answer

Provide a certified copy of the entire page containing the entry within 10 days.

Answer

Pennsylvania law allows any person to apply for a certified copy of a journal entry. The notary must provide a certified copy of the entire page from the journal that contains the requested entry within 10 days of the request. The notary cannot just show the entry or redact other entries on the same page.

Question 5

A notary's commission expires, and they do not apply for reappointment. What is the legally mandated procedure for their final journal?

Accepted Answer

The journal must be delivered to the recorder of deeds office in the county where the notary last maintained an office within 30 days.

Answer

Upon expiration of a commission without renewal, resignation, or revocation, a Pennsylvania notary has 30 days to deliver their journal(s) to the office of the recorder of deeds in the county of their last office. This ensures the records are preserved and accessible.

PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam Practice Test

PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam Practice Test

PA Notary Journal & Records 2