TX NNJE Journal Record Retention and Access

Question 1

How long must a Texas notary public retain their official journal after the last entry is made?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

Texas law requires notaries to retain their journal for at least 10 years after the date of the last notarial act recorded in that journal.

Question 2

Who legally owns the official notary journal in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The notary public personally

Answer

The notary journal is the personal property of the notary public, regardless of whether notarizations were performed during employment.

Question 3

Where must a Texas notary store their official journal to meet legal requirements?

Accepted Answer

In a secure location under the notary's direct and exclusive control

Answer

The notary is responsible for keeping the journal in a secure location under their own direct control to prevent unauthorized access or tampering.

Question 4

A Texas notary has a journal with entries from 2010 through 2018. When does the 10-year retention period for this journal begin?

Accepted Answer

The date of the last notarial act recorded in the journal

Answer

The 10-year retention clock starts from the date of the last entry in the journal, not from the first entry or commission date.

Question 5

A Texas notary leaves their employer but still holds a valid commission. What happens to the journal?

Accepted Answer

The notary takes the journal because it is their personal property

Answer

Because the journal belongs to the notary personally, they are entitled to take it when leaving employment, regardless of where the notarizations were performed.

TX NNJE - Texas National Notary Journal Entry Practice Test

TX NNJE - Texas National Notary Journal Entry Practice Test

TX NNJE Journal Record Retention and Access