Posted by FlaNotary2 on 10/12/10 6:30pm
Msg #356495

Journal appreciation

I just wanted to take an opportunity to say how much I love keeping a notary journal.

No, it's not required in Florida, and I've never met another Florida notary who uses one. But it is simply such a good idea, I can't think of any reason why a person should not have one. Journals provide a permanent record of the event. This concept dates back to Ancient Rome. To think that my little journal documents so many important events - not only the execution of wills, powers of attorney, deeds, etc.... but for many Florida notaries, the journal also documents marriages.

I do not use the Notary Rotary journal but I really love the journal I have, which I purchased from the American Association of Notaries.

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I just really love the idea of using a journal. I've been laughed at a few times for using one, but I love it and think that the notaries who don't use one are just jealous :-)

Reply by BestFlCloser on 10/12/10 6:50pm
Msg #356504

I've been using a journal for about 8 years. When I do work in NY & NJ, New York requires it, so it just becomes part of my opening routine. Now that I am in Florida, I've continued my routine. It give me a permanent record of the act. I won't laugh because I use one myself.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 10/12/10 7:05pm
Msg #356506

Kansas also doesn't require a journal but I began keeping one quite a few years ago. I feel it is a smart thing to do. I used the ASN journal first but am now using the NotRot journal.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 10/12/10 7:19pm
Msg #356510

Amen! I love mine. It's been a fantastic resource. I just ordered 3 more of the NotRot journals.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/12/10 7:52pm
Msg #356515

Thanks for the reminder! I keep forgetting to reorder. n/m

Reply by MelissaM_FL on 10/13/10 8:32am
Msg #356549

I know at least a dozen FL notaries who keep journals. IMO, it's the mark of a truly professional notary. Out of those, however, I only know two who have ever been asked to produce a copy of any entry in the journals, me and another notary in my base county. My request had to do with a will signing and hers was related to a mortgage signing. Both our journal entries were accepted by the local court as evidence that the person had really been present for the signing.

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/13/10 10:20am
Msg #356561

I haven't had anyone to see the journal; however, have been told that I never was the notary to go to the borrower's house. It was very nice to have that signature and thumbprint on those dates!

Also, if I forget to input information in my client log, I can go directly to the journal to see the name of the borrower and address.

I used to use the XYZ journals, but have only been using NotRot for the last four years. Love the one on this site!

Reply by Art_PA on 10/13/10 1:58pm
Msg #356597

There are many reasons for a notary to keep a journal even if your state does not require you to do so. A journal documents what you notarized, when you did it, the identity of the signer, and the ID presented. It can protect you from accusations of backdating, or of notarizing documents which you did not notarize. Having the signature of each signer can protect you if there is fraud or forgery involved. You can also be positive that you did not notarize documents years earlier.