Posted by frances arnone on 8/23/10 6:56am
Msg #350077

Journals

Is NJ the only state that donesn't required the notary to keep a journal

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/23/10 7:12am
Msg #350079

Not required in VA, but I keep one anyway n/m

Reply by PAW on 8/23/10 7:30am
Msg #350080

No, NJ is not alone on this point. I haven't counted them, but I suggest that more states do not require the use of a journal than those that do. (I may be wrong, but I'm not going to try to count them either. Just my perception.)

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 8/23/10 7:48am
Msg #350081

Ohio does not require one ..I keep one anyway!

Reply by MW/VA on 8/23/10 8:04am
Msg #350082

VA doesn't require one, but it is recommended. I don't keep one. IMO, it is an antiquated concept, much like keeping ledgers for accounting. Please, don't shoot me for expressing that opinion.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 8/23/10 8:10am
Msg #350083

Not required in Florida

But I use one anyway. Just good practice IMO. Recommended by our Governors office and by our state legislature a number of times. It is the only proof I have that the signer personally appeared and provided ID.

Reply by Rani Sampson on 8/23/10 2:54pm
Msg #350139

Antiquated? Not in my book.

A journal helps the notary to remember what they did or did not do. Here's a recent email from a lawyer in Washington State where Notaries are not required to keep journals:

"Turned out that the husband had forged the soon-to-be ex-wife's name on a new DOT. Thankfully, the notary kept a detailed ledger. That turned the case."

Justice was served in this case ONLY because the Notary voluntarily kept a detailed journal.

Reply by jfs/IL on 8/23/10 8:37am
Msg #350088

Illinois does not require it but I use a Journal.
Only sixteen state require journals and the rest is recommended!

Reply by TinaCA on 8/23/10 9:17am
Msg #350091

CT does not require one but strongly suggest you use one. I do and it has saved by butt.

Reply by RJE/MI on 8/23/10 10:19am
Msg #350093

Michigan does not require a journal but I use one because "The Michigan Notary Public Act requires a notary to maintain all records of a notarial act for a least 5 years. A notary is also required to provide copies of those records upon the request of the Department of State. However, the law does not describe the type of record that must be kept or what must be included in a record."

Pretty watered down Act so keeping a Journal. It makes me confident that I am protected. Also it is great for keeping notes on unusual circumstances that may occur during a signing. All in one spot. JMHO

Reply by parkerc/ME on 8/23/10 10:37am
Msg #350095

Not required in ME, but recommended. I keep one. n/m

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/23/10 4:09pm
Msg #350155

Not required in NY, but I use one anyway n/m

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 8/24/10 11:36am
Msg #350254

Re: Journals TN

Not required unless you charge for the notarization.

I keep one anyways--CYA.

Fee
s. The fees allowed a notary, set out in T.C.A. § 8-21-1201,
are as follows:
1. For the recording in a well-bound book, to be
kept by the notary for that purpose, each attestation,
protestation, and other instrument of publication
(see also 8-16-118). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00

R
e
cords. In order to charge the statutory fee, a notary must keep a record in a well-bound book of each of his or her attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication. A record of fees received should also be kept for income tax records. It is recommended that every notary keep a record of his or her acts in a well-bound book, which should include the following:
1. The date of the acknowledgment, affidavit or other transaction;
2. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized;
3. To whom the instrument is being executed;
4. A description, including the date, of the instrument;
5. Whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature (see definition of “satisfactory evidence,” discussed later); and
6. What fee, if any, was received.