WV Notary Notary Journal and Record Keeping

Question 1

What information must be recorded in a West Virginia notary's journal for each notarial act?

Accepted Answer

Date, type of act, signer's name, ID type used, document type, and fees charged

Answer

A West Virginia notary journal entry should include the date and time, type of notarial act, signer's name, identification method, type of document, notary fee, and the signer's signature.

Question 2

How long must a notary retain their journal records?

Accepted Answer

For the period specified by state law, typically 7-10 years after the last entry

Answer

Most states require notaries to retain their journals for a specified period, often 7-10 years, to allow for future reference and investigation of notarial acts.

Question 3

What should a notary do with their journal when their commission ends?

Accepted Answer

Follow state law regarding storage, transfer to the state, or destruction

Answer

State law dictates journal disposition when a commission ends. Some states require submission to the Secretary of State, while others require secure storage or supervised destruction.

Question 4

Can a member of the public request to inspect a notary's journal?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes, the journal is a public record that may be inspected under state law

Answer

Notary journals are generally considered public records. Many states allow members of the public to inspect journal entries, though personal information may have some protections.

Question 5

What should a notary do if their journal is lost or stolen?

Accepted Answer

Notify the appropriate state authority immediately and file a report

Answer

A lost or stolen journal should be reported immediately to the state's notary commissioning authority (usually Secretary of State) and to law enforcement to protect against potential identity fraud.

(WV Notary) West Virginia Notary Exam Practice Test

(WV Notary) West Virginia Notary Exam Practice Test

WV Notary Notary Journal and Record Keeping