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What Do I Do When I've Used My Entire Notary Journal?

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My journal will soon be full. I have been a Notary for 17 years and I’ve forgotten if I must deliver the full journal to the Secretary of State or the County Clerk?J.G., Irwindale, CA

If you plan to continue being a Notary, keep your completed journals under your direct and exclusive control. If you plan to resign your commission, deliver all of your journals to the county clerk’s office in which your current oath is on file within 30 days of the resignation. You must also deliver the journals to the county clerk if you are disqualified, removed from office or allow your commission to expire without obtaining reappointment within 30 days of your current expiration date. Since you are in Los Angeles County, the county clerk will charge you $10 to deposit all of your journals at that time.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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12 Comments

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Terri Stell-Warren

28 Jul 2023

I am going on #5 of 5 journals, can I turn the other 4 in to the SOS or the county clerk, so I dont have to keep up with all 4 that are filled

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Richard Rudolph

28 Dec 2016

Can you please provide me with a reference to the authority for What Do I Do When I've Used My Entire Notary Journal, in Orange County, California.

National Notary Association

29 Dec 2016

Hello. The rules for turning in journals when the Notary's commission permanently ends can be found in California Government Code Section 8209.

Teresa

06 Jul 2016

Does New York State require notary journals?

National Notary Association

08 Jul 2016

Hello. No, NY does not require a Notary journal.

Debra

16 Apr 2015

I'm in Washington state. Does Washington require journals to be turned in?

National Notary Association

17 Apr 2015

Hello Debra. No, Washington state does not require Notaries to keep a journal of their acts.

angela burton

12 Mar 2015

What about tennessee

National Notary Association

12 Mar 2015

Hello Angela. While Tennessee does require Notaries to keep a record of their notarial acts, the state has not published specific guidelines for storage and disposal of completed journals at this time.

Carol

09 Mar 2015

do all states require notary to turn in journals ? First I have heard of that. Notary in Ohio for 35+ yrs

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2015

Hello Carol. Not every state requires Notaries to keep a journal of their acts, though the NNA strongly recommends it.

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