How to record multiple Notary journal entries for a single assignment

Updated 7-23-24. During a single assignment, you may be asked to notarize more than one signature or even signatures on multiple documents. When you record these notarizations in your journal, how many entries do you need to make? Also, can Notaries use ditto marks or other shortcuts when information is repeated in their journal entries?

In this article, we answer the following questions:

Can I use ditto marks in my Notary journal?
Can I record multiple documents in one journal entry?

Can I use ditto marks in my Notary journal?

Ditto marks can seem like an obvious shortcut when recording the same information for multiple notarizations performed at the same time. But using them depends on your state’s requirements.

The tips in this article apply specifically to journals that are designed for the information in a single entry to span two facing pages. The NNA’s journal is a good example of this.

California journal requirements are very strict — the Secretary of State requires Notaries to complete a full journal entry for each notarization performed. California Notaries may not use ditto marks for journal entries. The reason for this is California Notaries are required by law to provide copies of information in their journals to the public upon a written request, and any line item provided must include complete information.

Hawaii's Notary Public Manual states journal entries must be created “at length.” This would also preclude Hawaii Notaries from using ditto marks or other shortcuts in their journals.

Illinois permits its Notaries to abbreviate journal entry information when a Notary performs multiple notarizations for the same principal during a single transaction. However, all information required by Illinois law must be recorded in the initial journal entry, and any abbreviated entries must include the type of transaction and the number of documents notarized for the principal as part of the single transaction (IAC 176.920 f); see also IAC 176.930 f)).

Texas allows a Notary Public who performs multiple notarizations for the same signer within a single document to abbreviate the entry of those notarizations in the Notary record book, except that a separate entry must be made for each type of notarial act. The abbreviated entry must contain all the information required by §406.014, Government Code, and must include the number of notarizations performed within the specified document (1 TAC 87.51[c]).

If you are commissioned in a state that does not provide guidance about journal shortcuts or does not require keeping a journal for traditional pen-and-paper notarizations such as Florida, it’s up to you whether to use ditto marks. At a minimum, the NNA recommends always filling out the first entry on each page completely, and only using ditto or hash marks for duplicate information for subsequent entries on the same page.

Can I record multiple documents in one journal entry?

When notarizing multiple documents for a single signer, many Notaries ask if they can combine information from all the documents into a single Notary journal entry. Again, this depends on state law.

Arizona and Nevada permit Notaries to group information about multiple notarizations performed into a single journal entry if the notarizations were performed for the same signer or on similar documents at the same time. Other states, such as California, Hawaii and Pennsylvania, require a separate, complete entry for each individual notarization.

In states that do not say one way or the other, the NNA recommends making a separate entry for each notarial act, but using ditto marks as described above. This helps keep the information in your journal easy to read while cutting down on the work required to create multiple entries.

David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.

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124 Comments

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Arvind Sharma

12 Aug 2024

Thanks a lot NNA!

Veronica M

10 Aug 2024

Very helpful information. Thank you!

notary2youmobilenotary@gmail.com

Thanks for the tip, it is really useful. But not sure if this is also applicable in Arkansas, I think it is.

National Notary Association

The Arkansas Notary Public Handbook states, “The law does not require a notary to keep any record of his or her official acts, but it is recommended that each notary keep a register or journal.” The “Arkansas Notary Public Handbook” suggests that, for each notarial act performed, the Notary should record the following information in the register: Date of notarial act; Type of act performed; Type of document involved; Name and address of each person whose signature was notarized; Signature of each person whose signature was notarized; Any personal annotations in a “notes” section; An itemized list of fees collected.

monica

08 Aug 2024

This state offers the best worthless processes you can get. I understand some requirements, but the ones where you have to repeat entries is plain useless, because you have to show all entries for that day/person anyway. Excuses are made here to make some folks feel more important, it seems.

DONNA L JACKSON

06 Aug 2024

I am a NJ Notary Public, I do entries in my Journal, but as of yet needed to do mutable entries, what are the rules here in New Jersey?

Hello. In New Jersey, “For each notarial act, the notary public shall record in the journal: “(1) the date and time of the notarial act; “(2) the type of notarial act, including but not limited to the taking of an acknowledgment, the taking of a proof of a deed, the administration of an oath, or the taking of an affidavit; “(3) the name and address of each person for whom the notarial act is performed; “(4) if the identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect; “(5) if the identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including, if applicable, the type, date of issuance, and date of expiration of an identification document, or the name and signature of any identifying witness and, if applicable, the type, date of issuance, and date of expiration of a document identifying the witness; and “(6) an itemized list of all fees charged for the notarial act” (NJSA 52:7-10.18.b).

Melinda Adams

I was informed at my last training 10/23 that this is no longer true. I was told by the trainer that the Integrity journals can be used. If this is wrong, then they are making a big mistake during notary training classes.

Eve and Anna

05 Aug 2024

We got confirmation the INTEGRITY NOTARY JOURNAL (single signing view logbook of Notarial Acts) from the Secretary of State Office does meet the requirements for journal entries for estate planning documents in CA. (It does have entries for loan signings but we did not ask about that specifically about those). Bought on Amazon and we put comment there too.

Toby Louden

If I received $100 per signing, I would be ecstatic. All Notary companies offer for the past couple years is $50 or $70 for full purchase or refinance package.

Ana Lillian Pena

Please show examples of this

Chris Nwakobi

The NNA should be advocation the type of Modern Notary journal with check marks for types of documents. This saves everyone time. Only reason they are not is to sell more journals

Debbie

A notary designed a bound page hard & soft cover journal and sells it on Amazon. Notary, Journal for Loan Signing Agents: One Page Multiple Documents, Smart Notary, by Sannika Prabhu

Nassar T.

I'm a Notary Public in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I've been a loan signing agent for about 3 months. In this short time span, I've done a little over 50 loan signings of different types. I've never read anything about not being allowed to use ditto marks for multiple entries in my journal. Am I correct to assume that in MA I can use them to avoid further aggravating my carpal tunnel when recording entries in my journal?

26 Aug 2024

Hello. Massachusetts law states that for every notarial act, except for the issuance of summons or subpoena or the administration of an oral oath, the notary public must record the following information in the journal at the time of notarization (GL 222, Sec. 22[b]): “(i) the date and time of the notarial act, proceeding, or transaction; “(ii) the type of notarial act; “(iii) the type, title, or a description of the document or proceeding, provided, however, that if multiple documents are signed by the same principal in the course of a transaction during a single date a single journal entry shall be sufficient”; “(iv) the signature and printed name and address of each principal and witness, except that if a principal or witness informs the notary public that the principal or witness is a battered person, the notary public shall make a note in the journal that the person’s address shall not be subject to public inspection”; and “(v) a description of the type of satisfactory evidence of identity of each person, including: “(1) a notation of the type of identification document, the issuing agency, its serial or identification number and its date of issuance or expiration; provided, however, that if the identification number on the document is the person’s social security number, instead of including the number, the notary public shall write in the words ‘Social Security number’ or the acronym ‘SSN’; “(2) a notation if the notary public identified the individual based on the oath or affirmation of a credible witness or based on the notary public’s personal knowledge of the individual; “(3) the fee, if any, charged for the notarial act; and “(4) the address where the notarization was performed.”

mark ratajczak

30 Jul 2024

what is the law for NJ Journals. I can'r find any? Thank yhou

National Notary Associatioin

Hello. In New Jersey, “A notary public shall maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed” (NJSA 52:7-10.18.a). “For each notarial act, the notary public shall record in the journal: “(1) the date and time of the notarial act; “(2) the type of notarial act, including but not limited to the taking of an acknowledgment, the taking of a proof of a deed, the administration of an oath, or the taking of an affidavit; “(3) the name and address of each person for whom the notarial act is performed; “(4) if the identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect; “(5) if the identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including, if applicable, the type, date of issuance, and date of expiration of an identification document, or the name and signature of any identifying witness and, if applicable, the type, date of issuance, and date of expiration of a document identifying the witness; and “(6) an itemized list of all fees charged for the notarial act” (NJSA 52:7-10.18.b).

Monica A.

11 Jul 2024

I’m a CA notary since 2018. Yes, I’ve always written single line entries for loan documents and yes it does become tedious. Although, I personally do not mind hand-writing, I’ve been asked by other notaries “why?”. One of them suggested the “Modern Journal of Notarial Events” - this journal provides the combination of notarial act/document type checkboxes. It did save time, but after completion of that journal, I could not wait to start a new journal with single entries! Why? After much thought, if a multiple box journal is used and a member of the public requests a specific document notarized or the journal itself is seized by a peace office or the notary is required to appear in court, it may create privacy concerns for the signer for a specific requested single document notarized. The signer may not wish for a member of the public to be aware that they signed a financial affidavit when only a line item for a deed of trust was requested. I’ve learned so much in this industry - there are no shortcuts. But you do what is best for you.

Hope

25 Oct 2023

What are ditto marks?

Hello. Ditto marks are marks that appear similar to quotation marks (") used to indicate repeated information.

Michelle Joy Thayer

21 Jul 2023

I'm in Washington State. Can I record multiple documents on one entry in my Journal. For example: I notarize 3 documents for the same person, can I enter all of the documents notarized in one entry?

10 Aug 2023

Hello. In Washington state, “If a notary public performs notarial acts involving different statements or documents for the same individual on the same date, the notary public may record a single entry in the journal for all of the statements or documents. The entry shall include the number of statements or documents notarized and shall otherwise conform to RCW 42.45.180 and these rules” (WAC 308-30-190[2]).

cspears@basinpbs.org

08 May 2023

I am so thrilled I finally came across such an article! I have had this question for months now. I am a Texas Notary and notarize several of the same documents for the same company monthly. Do I need to enter each in my journal, or can I make one entry and indicate the total number of records notarized? Do I list each jurat (I think I am wording that correctly), and we both fill out each line in its entirety? Are they allowed to only sign once, and then I can draw a line or use dittos? I hope this makes sense. I know Texas was one of the examples above, but I am just seeking additional clarity and guidance. Thank you!

Hello. In Texas, you may only make journal abbreviations in situations and the format described in the article.

BK

07 Mar 2023

Appears to be loads of Californians complaining about things that they should already know. Had they paid attention in class, they would not have to ask these questions about ditto marks, abbreviations, line items, placing diagonal lines and signing their name once to cover 30 line entries, etc. Pure laziness is what it is. Each of you can read. You know what the SoS states in their Bulletins. Either follow it to the letter, or quit. You are simply in the way of those who are, and want to do the right thing. Stop whining, and again, either do what's right, or get the heck out of the way. And for those of you using journals with abbreviations in them, they have not been approved by the SoS. It only takes an email or phone call to ask if it is okay with them if you use it and stop listening to the sea lawyers out there who are steering you wrong. Where will they be when you are called to the carpet, fined or jailed for your misdeeds? Think about it.

Paula Lewis

03 Jan 2023

I truly appreciate all the useful information I get from these news letters, GREAT INFORMATION! Being a new notary is a little stressful, but I'm finding out that the more I learn the less stressful it becomes.

Nathan the Notary

27 Dec 2022

I also do not agree that in California a notary is REQUIRED to enter each document on an individual line in the notary journal. NNA keeps referencing a 2014 article (http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2014.pdf). But the NNA obviously doesn't even know what they are referring us to because no where in that article does it state that there needs to be an individual line for each document notarized. Even if on the off chance it did mention it, that is from 8 years ago and nothing in the current Notary Handbook states that it is a requirement. And since the Notary Handbook is what we as notaries are to follow and abide by, if it's not in that handbook, then it is not a requirement and just a recommendation or preferred practice... but not mandatory as you are inferring. If the NNA is going to give out information, they should at least double check it and make sure it is accurate. NNA needs to change this to inform notaries that it is preferred by the state of CA that every entery is individualized, but not a requirement.

10 Jan 2023

Hello. The following instructions are from Page 5 of the Secretary of States 2020 Notary News newsletter (https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2020.pdf ): "Not only must a notary public have a separate journal entry for each type of notarization, a specific description of the document, and the time and date of the official act, you must obtain a signature for each line item."

Sean Michael

My understanding is; because a request for a copy of a Notary Journal entry can be made, all information of the Notarization process that occurred, needs to be clearly annotated. The request for a journal entry, will involve, proving facts to the court, therefore, it is imperative that there are no doubts with the Notarization process which you performed.

Jen

I am a PA notary am I able to use ditto marks as well? another question I have is if I'm notarizing one document with multiple signers is it done as one entry or do I have to do one for each signer?

11 Jan 2023

Hello. Pennsylvania law states “An entry in a journal shall be made contemporaneously with performance of the notarial act and contain all of the following information: “(1) The date and time of the notarial act. “(2) A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act. “(3) The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed. “(4) If identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect. “(5) If identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and any identification credential presented, including the date of issuance and expiration of an identification credential. “(6) The fee charged by the notary public” (57 Pa.C.S. 319[c]).

Sandy

What about Illinois? Can I use ditto marks and do I have to make one journal entry for multiple documents?

Hello. Notaries Public in Illinois are not required by law to keep records of notarial acts, so the state does not set statutory rules for ditto marks.

Dimarie

26 Dec 2022

It is amazing how many people don't follow this rule in CA. We had our house refinanced a few years ago and our Notary said there was no way she was going to make a journal entry for each Notarial act, when I mentioned the change. I actually just had this as a question on my exam, so it is definitely a rule. I think many Notary's forget that they are a Notary for the state and not just a Loan Signing Agent. Our Notary did not have us Affirm, or administer an Oath for our jurats in our loan package either. That is a $750 fine, but I guess everyone thinks these things are too much extra work to be bothered with. This was a very experienced NSA, but she did things "her way". I agree that it is tedious to complete a line entry for each Notarial act, but I am doing it. As Notary's, we are required to follow the laws that apply to us, and we don't just get to decide how we want to do things. I wish that the SOS could see how much extra trouble it is, but I still don't think they'd care.

Fredis

Different document different certificate even loan modifications require two notarization

Dana

Bill Downs, California Secretary of State Notary Public Section Manager, has given us clear guidance on this hotly contested issue. A Notary Public may include more than one document in a single line entry for the same signer, provided the Notary follows specific guidelines. If a Notary Public uses a type of journal that allows for more than one document on a single line entry, the notarizations occur on the same date and time, fees are broken down to show what was charged for each notarization and include all information required by CA Government Code 8206, Notaries may list multiple documents in the same line entry. However, as best practice and preferred method, the CA SoS recommends creating one journal line entry for each signature on every document notarized.

03 Feb 2023

When it comes to this hotly contested issue, it is our understanding that the Secretary of State has not published anything official to indicate that any changes have been made to this legal requirement. The only official publication we have from the CA SOS is from 2018 in which they stated “If you are notarizing multiple documents for a signer or signers, each notarial act must be indicated clearly in your journal. Hash marks, ditto marks, arrows, lines, or other shortcuts do not meet the requirements for entering a complete notarial act into your journal.” Until the Secretary of State issues an official publication clarifying this issue, the NNA will continue to refer Notaries to follow the requirement of one journal entry for each document notarized.

Roberta Chatfield

As long as Notaries accept low pay for these large signings, then things will NOT CHANGE! I refuse to leave my office, or to spend preparation time, driving time, and actual time with signers for a minimal amount! Also, if you are too lazy to fill out the Journal, get another job! Why argue the point? Itt is for your benefit as well!

Patricia Tyler

I'm a Florida Notary and I only make a single entry per signer. In the "Kind/Type of Notarization/Certificate" section, I write: "Ack-15", "Jurat -10". In the "Document kind/Type and Date" section, I put Refinance, HELOC, etc. We don't have mandatory entries. I keep the details of every Certificate on my intake sheet from the NNA. I think there's a lot of reading between the lines and interpretations of our laws. When I tried calling the SoS's Notary Department to ask questions, they refer me to an attorney. They are a waste of energy and we're all left to interpret.

Terri Shannon

I believe that we are being paid to witness a signing and create a legal record of what we witnessed and it should be able to hold up in court. The few times I have been called upon to bring my journal to court it was clear by not only the judge, but also those who hired me in the first place that I would provide an accurate complete documentation of what I witnessed. I try to provide a detailed description of each service I do keeping this in mind. It is what I see as the job I am hired to do!

Martha Kehoe

03 Jan 2022

Can ditto marks be used in Connecticut? I do not see anything in the statutes ruling them out, but I could be missing something.

05 Jan 2022

Hello. Connecticut does not require Notaries to keep a journal, although doing so is recommended by state officials. It would be the Connecticut Notary's choice whether or not to use ditto marks in journal entries. The state Notary Public Manual recommends recording the following journal information for each transaction if the Notary chooses to keep a journal: Date and time of the notarial act; Nature or type of notarial act performed; Description of the document or proceeding; Signature, printed name and address of each person for whom a notarial act is performed; Method by which a person’s identity has been determined; Fee, if any charged; and Place where the notarial act was performed.

Melissa

27 Dec 2021

Can you show us examples please?

28 Dec 2021

Hello. If you are in a state that does not permit use of ditto marks or other journal shortcuts, such as California, please follow the instructions in the article. If you are in a state that permits journal shortcuts such as ditto marks, you can see the photo at the top of the article for an example. Please be sure to follow your commissioning state's laws and guidelines regarding journal entry requirements and use of shortcuts.

michaels.camaro@gmail.com

30 Jul 2021

I saw only one comment about someone from Hawaii using a "stamp" for multiple lines. For example: Using a stamp for the word "Jurat" or "Acknowledgement". So, In California would this practice be acceptable?

12 Aug 2021

Hello. Please see this article for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/11/notary-journal-entries-and-efficiency-stamps

Diana Compton

16 Jun 2021

Just wondering how many notary signing agents actually fill out journals if it’s not required by your state? It is a requirement in California and therefore takes much longer to complete a signing assignment.

Robin

27 Mar 2021

I think us California Notary Signing Agents should start a petition to the SOS to get the rules revised for loan packages, let them count as a package and just note what was included in the package!!!!! It is crazy to have to do separate entries for each individual document especially when some loan packages have as many as 13 notarized documents times sometimes as many as 5 signers, that would equal a whole journal book per day sometimes. Also even saying that the time it takes is part of the job, the borrowers are told by their loan officers it should take no more than an hour, a 150-250 page package with 13 notarized documents with separate lines with ID and signature for each one for each borrower, that equals probably about 5 or 6 hours!!!

Laura K Preston

19 Jan 2021

Does Arizona require notaries to secure the signature of the document signer in the Notary Journal?

21 Jan 2021

Hello. Yes, each journal entry must include at least the following entries (ARS 41-319.A): The date of the notarial act; A description of the document or type of notarial act; The printed full name, signature and address of each person for whom a notarial act is performed; The type of satisfactory evidence of identity for each person for whom the notarial act is performed, if other than the Notary’s personal knowledge, including a description of the identification document, its serial or ID number, and its date of issuance or expiration; The fee, if any, charged for the notarial act.

Katy Molina

05 Jan 2021

What are the rules for Colorado?

06 Jan 2021

Hello. From the CO Secretary of State's website (https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/notary/FAQ/seals.html): Can I list multiple signers on one notarial certificate? If multiple signers appear before the notary at the same time, the names may appear on the same certificate. Because there are multiple signers, separate entries must be made in the journal for each signer.

Lesa Cooper

04 Jan 2021

On a related note, can you use preprinted labels for repetitive information?? Such as I have stickers for Ack vs. Jurat and the location address is 9 times out of 10 my work address - so I have that on a sticker as well and just pop them on which makes it so much quicker. Individual info I still write in of course. Is this acceptable? I work in AZ.

02 Feb 2021

Hello. Arizona law does not specially prohibit the use of stickers in a Notary’s journal; however, we strongly recommend against this practice. The reason why is because, with time, stickers will lose their adhesiveness. As a result, when the journal is opened the stickers will curl up and fall off the pages.

Bob Maslac

29 Dec 2020

I'm a new California notary. I'm asking to be absolutely certain: The "name and address" of the signer must not be ditto-marked or diagonal cross-lined in the journal, correct? As I interpret all this, that information is not being notarized so it shouldn't make any difference when recording it as long as it is clear. I expect a lot of loan signings to come my way and I want to get this right.

30 Dec 2020

Hello. Yes, that is correct. The CA Secretary of State has said that California Notaries must complete a full journal entry for each notarization, and Notaries may not use ditto marks or shortcuts for journal entries.

Julie King

28 Dec 2020

I am an estate planning attorney and a notary. Every time a client signs a trust package, I have to repeat my client's information at least 5 - 6 times and, if a couple is signing estate planning documents, the number of signatures is doubled. I have always been trained that each signature must have a complete line WITHOUT using quotation marks to show the same information repeats. Is it a pain in the rear to write all those names over and over again? Yes. Would I love to have my administrative assistant write it for me? Yes, but I can't give my journal to anyone. So, I just take the journal home and write the names, addresses, etc. while I'm watching TV in the evenings. The problem with saying the Secretary of State's requirements are not the law is this: the Secretary of State's office can revoke (cancel) your notary rights and you can be fined for not discharging your duties properly. Read the disciplinary guidelines for notaries and see for yourself.

Anna Dinoyo

What are the rules for WA. State on this?

“If a notary public performs notarial acts involving different statements or documents for the same individual on the same date, the notary public may record a single entry in the journal for all of the statements or documents. The entry shall include the number of statements or documents notarized and shall otherwise conform to RCW 42.45.180 and these rules” (WAC 308-30-190[2]).

Dan Sundquist

I'm in California and I quit doing work for signing companies because they were not paying me for the service I was performing. They charge the borrower the full price of norizing the documents but then only pay the notary who does the work and accepts the liability a few crumbs.

Christy Bates

Thank you ! Notaries in California need to know this ! Amazing how many loan signing agents DONT and use one journal entry and title it Loan Documents. I had a recent assignment and the borrowers said we have to sign and thumb print 30 entries ? YES. Well the last notary didn’t have us to that. Yes it’s laborious but best to do it right !

Rhonda D Teris

I have a journal I buy on Amazon and it has a lot of the forms already printed on it. I only need one line per signer.

Best So Cal Notary

It is said that CA requires a new journal entry for each document but not only is that simply not practical but it also hasnt held up in court. If we refer back to our notary exam only documents that convey real property such as a deed of trust, grant deed, warranty deed (also poa) etc...require a journal entry and thumbprint. So the state doesnt require a thumbprint for a aka statement yet we need to do a journal entry ? I have closed over 12,000 signings and its just not feasible to journal entry every single notary. Title is adding acknowledgments to wire instructions, county forms, ID forms, all sorts of no relevant forms plus the lenders acknowledgments on a bunch of junk. Yesterday i did a signing with 3 people and 30 acknowledgments each, so the state wants me to do 90 entries/thumbprints ? Get real, try explaining that to your client after just spending an hour on a 200 page purchase. When CA law states only the recordable docs need journal entry/thumbprint yet now we need to journal entry for wire instructions? Its not like the date/time/place/signature or thumb impression change if you do 90 entries. Its just more nonsensical, inefficient, expensive waste of our time when we already dont get paid what we are worth. If the state is going to prosecute you for not journal entering a name aff than they should hold title/signing services accountable to pay the mandated $15 per signature notarized CA notary fee...but of course they dont. Notaries today are printing 300 pages (150x2) thats a $60 value at ups or kinkos, notarizing 20 signatures per person per package a 600 value (20x2x15) driving two and fro (uber 20 each way value and more. We are doing $600-700 worth of service to make $100 if we are lucky than of course we pay state and fed tax on that. Its laughable the standard the states expects but they dont hold themselves to the same standard, afterall this state is a trillion in debt in pensions, infrastructure is collapsing, schools are underfunded, la is worst school district in the country along with worst road conditions, cali has the highest cost of living snd the least quality of life (forbes) the state provides no security for notaries (collective bargaining, insurance, retirement, unions, etc) but holds us to these insane standards which make it impossible for us to turn a profit. We have the highest notary cost in the country, exam, certification, supplies, etc. its insane honestly. This is from the same state that gave 500 million in covid aid to illegal immigrants and gave 400 million in unemployment benefits to federal prisoners (all true look it up) but meanwhile they want to drive us into the ground whilst making it impossible for us to earn a living wage. No wonder 1 million people moved out of california this year. I use a modern journal which has the docs listed and i circle apa or jurat or other. I log in the items the state requires and obtain a thumbprint and that is more than sufficient in my eyes. If every single notary stopped working for one single day the real estate market would come to a grinding hault. We are risking our lives working during covid and the state provides no assistance whatsoever. Time to stand up to the madness in california.

JOYCE J RUSSELL

In Missouri do you have to have a separate journal entries for multiple documents

The following entries are required for each notarial act (RSMo 486.705.1): The date and time of notarization; The type of notarization (e.g., acknowledgment or jurat); The title, type or description of the document or proceeding; The printed name, signature and address of each principal or printed name and address of each requester of fact; The evidence of identity of each principal whether by personal knowledge, a notation of the type of ID, its issuing agency, serial or identification number and date of issuance or expiration, the handwritten signature and name of each credible witness, and for witnesses not personally known to the Notary, a description of the IDs relied on by the Notary; The fee, if any, charged for the notarization. The address where the notarization was performed, if not the address of the Notary’s regular place of work or business.

Brian

Understanding that no shortcuts or ditto marks are when multiple entries at one signing occur, but what about multiple notarial acts for the same document. For example, a person presents 5 copies of the same document to be notarized. Should that be treated as 5 separate line entries?

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

LENORA Elaine MARQUEZ

I appreciate all of the information based on Q&A's. Is it possible to list the current ones first instead of last? I like to check on occasions to see what if any issues have come up that I am not aware of. I have been a Notary since 2005 so I keep up with all the latest information provided in this forum. This last November was crazy, I did 23 signings in 25 days and of course I am waiting to get paid for all of them.

Why can't the NNA come up with Journals that have check marks. There should be entries for most common documents in a mortgage package. Customers are complaining for having to sign 7 - 12 entries each.

RYVONA Stephens

I'm a Notary in Idaho. Is is required to make a separate entry for each acknowledgement or jurat

Hello. Idaho does not require Notaries to keep a journal.

Annie DeWitt

Thanks for sharing need to know information it's been very knowledgeable in giving clear understanding of the best way to write in our Journal's when it comes to multiple documents

Jennifer

What is the proper way innNew York to enter journal entries for a mortgage loan signing? Often there are 10-15 notarizations.

Hello. New York does not require Notaries to keep a journal. However, Guiding Principle VII-A-4 of the Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility provides recommended practices for a journal entry in the absence of statutory guidance: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/reference-library/notary-public-code-of-professional-responsibility

Chris Parreira

20 Jul 2020

Im a Calif notary for 5 years. My jourmal has lines to mark multiple documents in a single line. I have called the Secretary of State's office personally, and discussed the legality of this type of journal. I pointed out in the law book, that it does not state that there has to be a separate line for each notarized signature, only what is required to be documented for that line. She said that type of journal is legal to use. I have signings that require up to 30 notarized signatures. If I have to enter all that info 30 times it would take 2 hours or more. I am just going to keep on what i am doing. If i am required to submit a line to law enforcement, its all there on the single line

22 Jul 2020

Hello. Please see the following instruction in the CA Secretary of State's 2020 Notary Public newsletter, page 5: "Not only must a notary public have a separate journal entry for each type of notarization, a specific description of the document, and the time and date of the official act, you must obtain a signature for each line item. If one person’s signature is notarized multiple times, it is not enough to capture the signature only once on a diagonal line drawn through several line items to show one person signed multiple documents.This is contrary to notary public law.(CaliforniaGovernmentCodesection8206(a)(2)(C).)" (https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2020.pdf) If you can please email us at publications@nationalnotary.org with any information regarding the person you spoke with at the Secretary of State's office, such as their name or the date and time you spoke with them, we will let the Secretary of State's office know that someone is providing information that directly contradicts the office's published instructions for Notaries.

Todd Justice

08 Mar 2020

I've been told by a title company that I need one entry per closing here in Texas. My last refi had almost 20 notarizations with two people on almost all of them. Took me forever. I did one entry for each person for each notarization. That's 40 entries. That can't possibly be correct. How can I make this easier?

12 Mar 2020

Hello. Please see the recommended guidelines for Texas Notary journal entries in the article above.

Carol Clow

10 Jan 2020

"Each notarial act must be a separate journal entry, and each notarial act must include the date, time, and type of official act." Also: "Record, without abbreviations, all the information required by law to be recorded for each and every notarial act." I copied and pasted the above quote from another comment. I understand the separate line item part. What I don't understand is the part about "ABBREVIATIONS". What exactly is meant by that? Does that mean we cannot abbreviate ACK for acknowledgment, D.O.T. for Deed of Trust or SIG/NAME AFF for Signature/Name Affidavit, so on and so forth? If that is the case (no abbreviations in our Journals) then, I have a Journal that has ALL the check boxes with ALL boxes being abbreviated. Is this Journal ok to use for loan signings? Please explain this further.

Hello Carol. Page 4 of the California Secretary of State's 2018 Notary Newsletter (available at https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2018.pdf) provides detailed guidelines regarding the use of abbreviations and shortcuts for listing the type of notarization and document notarized in CA Notary journal entries.

Irvin Dinkins

09 Jan 2020

Hi, I have a different line of questions. I recently had a customer who needed a loan modification agreement notarized and next to where the client signs her name the word SEAL was present. She asked me if this is where I would place my notarial seal? I did some research and found out that the word SEAL next to a signature block was used in the late 19th century to bind the contract or agreement to the lords who were affixing their names and interest to the document. What I would like to ask is for the NNA Newsletter to write an article on this topic in the next NNA newsletter from the perspective of the Notary Public. Thank you Irvin Dinkins Philadelphia, PA

Aida Gonzalez

08 Jan 2020

How long we need to keep journal records?

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

Shannon Ziccardi

A full time CA Notary for 17 years, I can tell you that California does indeed require a journal entry for each and every notarized signature. Professional notaries treat this as just part of doing the job properly. Anything less is less. Less is a shortcut and in my opinion, unprofessional. (Please don’t bother trying to dissuade me. I’ve personally signed over 19,800 Mortgage Loans and multiple thousands of individual documents since 2003. I know of what I speak).

JUNE FIEBIG

WHEN I DO SEVERAL NOTIFICATIONS FOR ONE PERSON, I USUALLY DRAW A LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LAST ONE TO THE TOP OF THE FIRST ONE AND HAVE THEM SIGN ACROSS THE LINE TO COVER ALL OF THEM, IS THIS OKAY TO DO?

Hello June. DIfferent states have different rules regarding this journal practice. What state are you commissioned in, please?

07 Jan 2020

Does the Signer's address have to be notated each and every time in our journal? I know we have to note a separate line item for each notarization performed and the Signers ID, but what about their address? I'm not clear on that part. I don't see anything in the article or Govt Code 8206 addressing their address. Also, what address do we put in our journal? The address on their ID or the address where the signing was performed?

Hello Carol. If you are referring to California Notary law, California does not require Notaries to record the signer's address in the journal entry. The list of required information in a CA journal entry can be found here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/04/notary-guide-completing-journal-entries

d sundquist

I will not be "wallmarted" if the title company wants cheap service, let them go to the Wallmart or Amazon signors. One day they will find out how inexpensive it would have been to pay the going rate and doing it the correct way as required by the SOS.

Dina

I’m a California notary, There are many comments complaining about it being too time consuming to enter separate line items per document. I would like to say, yes, it is time consuming but IT IS YOUR JOB to be thorough as a notary. I do numerous estate plan signings and I enter separate line per document; Per person. I also get a thumb print for every document I notarize even though it is not required. At $15 per signature, it is the least I can do. I fill small details after I have left the appointment. Yes, I agree it is tedious, but necessary. My journal is complete.

Cassandra G

06 Jan 2020

I read the Notary News article from the link: http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2014.pdf The two items they are addressing is using ditto marks and lumping all documents and calling them "loan documents." It states a notary must complete all sections of each line item and not use ditto marks, arrows or other shortcuts to complete a line item. Under the bullet point "Character of each instrument" it states you need to identify each document that is notarized and not just identify them as "loan docs," meaning that a Name Affidavit and a Deed of Trust must be identified separately. But, that doesn't necessarily mean they have to be on separate lines. The journal I use has the most common documents listed with the option of the certificate type (jurat or acknowledgement) and a space to write-in the name of a document not listed. For my loan signings I am identifying each document signed, collecting signer's signature, type of certificate, date/time of notary act and identification used to identify the signer. I don't interpret the states requirements to mean a separate line item for each document. If you read Government Code 8206 in its entirety, it does not require a notary to have a separate line item for every document, but does require that all documents notarized by identified, date/time recorded, type of identification used to identify the signer, signer's signature and thumb print for real estate documents such as deed of trust, quit claim, grant deed or power of attorney. I interpret what the government code to be requiring is line items to be completed fully and all documents notarized be listed. I believe my journal entries do comply without having to have a separate line (which is not stated in the code) for each document. This is based upon the Notary Public Handbook dated 2018.

Hello. The California Secretary of State's office has specifically instructed California Notaries to create a separate, complete journal entry for each notarization performed. Please see the following instructions from the Secretary of State's 2020 Notary Newsletter (https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2020.pdf): "Each notarial act must be a separate journal entry, and each notarial act must include the date, time,and type of official act." Also: "Record, without abbreviations, all the information required by law to be recorded for each and every notarial act."

T. Dinora

I agree completely with W-Gail Manchur. I've been doing this since 2011 and started in Pennsylvania moved to Florida. It's a joke in Florida with some of the stories I hear from customers where are notaries come out in shorts and t-shirt straight from the beach or they're on their cell phones while you're signing. Fees are much lower here. There's so many notary that it's comical. I feel bad for the professional notary that has been in it for 20 years or longer that used to get paid for the professionalism and now it's just like a cheap industry. I try presenting myself as professional as possible and courteous... I even asked if shoes are okay when I enter a home. I honestly don't think the title companies or lenders care how professional you are anymore. So much for a good profitable professional industry going down the tubes.

Travis Moe

Any guidance for Washington State notaries? Can NSAs in WA use ditto marks, or are they allowed to enter multiple notarial acts in a single entry?

For Washington state: “If a notary public performs notarial acts involving different statements or documents for the same individual on the same date, the notary public may record a single entry in the journal for all of the statements or documents. The entry shall include the number of statements or documents notarized and shall otherwise conform to RCW 42.45.180 and these rules” (WAC 308-30-190[2]).

Tristen Watkins

Does anyone remember that we took an oath when becoming a notary? We are a public servant that will adhere to the law by the following the processes that are set by the Sec of State. We are trusted public servants. I do not recall there are provisions for us to make up our own processes. While I agree that this is a very time consuming process, it is not our decision on how to properly document the information. We are trained every 4 years on how to document the information and should be taken seriously. By justifying that you have never been asked for a copy in the time you have been a notary is not a reason to justify making a change to the process. Trust me when I say, I detest the time consuming, archaic process of multiple signatures, but it is not my authority to change it. I do not recommend taking shortcuts because at the end of the day, you would be the one responsible for not recording these entries correctly. I would think that taking a shortcuts would be a characteristic that would be considered being denied renewal. Challenging the process is acceptable but needs to be challenged to the right person, The NNA is not that place for this, contact your Sec of State to initiate change. Then when the changes are legally changed, you can fell satisfied that you were part of the process.

SHERAL A GRAHAM

18 Nov 2019

Oh man!!! I just filled up my first book in Hawaii.....and NOW read that I can't use ditto marks or arrows.....OMG! I do loan signings, each document and signer gets a line for each document, but I really have to write the signing location and driver's license over and over? The last refi I did had 3 signers and 24 notarized documents!!!! What will they do to me if I turn the book in as is?

19 Nov 2019

Hello. “For each official act, the notary shall enter in the book: (1) The type, date, and time of day of the notarial act; (2) The title or type and date of the document or proceeding and the nature of the act, transaction, or thing to which the document relates; (3) The signature, printed name, and address of each person whose signature is notarized and of each witness; (4) Other parties to the instrument; and (5) The manner in which the signer was identified” (HRS 456-15). For failure to complete required entries in a Notary journal the Attorney General may impose a fine of $200 (HRS 456-9[c][4]).

Julie Rice

08 Feb 2019

Just yesterday, I did back to back 11 notarizatiins each. That’s a LOT of info to record while someone is waiting and staring at me. Lucky for me I don’t mind long, awkward silences.

Gregory Spanos

16 Dec 2018

Some comments about the discussion in this series: for those who question the validity of a "5 year old statement from the Secretary of State," or state that they "respect the SOS's comment," the SOS is the person/office that manages/permits notaries by STATUE, so any such document should be followed strictly. Saying that you don't have to follow them is like saying you don't have to pay attention to instructions from the IRS in their statements - see where that gets you. And unless there is a newer statement to replace it, the statements don't expire. The legal principal of stare decisis (law based on precedent and precedent is good until overturned no matter how old). Anyone doing real estate notarizations can simply point out to the loan people that the State of California authorizes a fee of $15 for EACH signature. Quote Government Code 8211 which specifies the fees. Since you have to record each item (Gov. Code 8206(2)(b)), each separate item is a separate signature and entitled to the $15 fee. In addition, if you are doing work other than what is required by statute, you should be entitled to an hourly compensation for anything other than the notarization. Making copies, etc., etc., is not part of the notarization process.

Shafiq Spanos

12 Dec 2018

I do a lot of work for an estate planning attorney, and often have upwards of 10-12 documents to notarize at once. I bought small ink stamps that say "Acknowledgement," "Jurat," the address of the office where almost all of my notarizations are done, and "CA Driver's License." These save a huge amount of time and wear and tear on my hands writing everything. The stamps cost about $40 total. Makes it much easier and much faster.

Cheryl Kaster

11 Dec 2018

Hawaii Notary Office does not interpret law for us. I understand "at length" but I fail to see how putting in the description that there were "three originals," etc, of the same document by the same signer, with the same I.D., does not meet the "at length" requirement. More to the at length should be taught to give more information in the document description, rather than only "deed," who is the grantee, and for what property (short description). That is the part that will prevent the loose certificate from being detached and reattached to another document all together.

W-Gail Manchur

10 Dec 2018

I don't think the almost 5-year-old Statement" from the Secretary of State office is actual law. It is merely a one agency's interpretation, based on an improbable scenario, and is not an actual law. Making a separate journal entry for each individual notarization is impractical, time-consuming, and totally unnecessary, in my opinion. This requirement needs to be revisited and reconsidered as it places an unbearable burden on the notary with no increase in our fees. Title and lender, over the last few years, have been sneaking more and more requirements (scan backs or faxbacks, for instance) and refusing to pay additional fees for additional services! Now they are starting to demand that we take photos of IDs and signed documents and TEXT them back from the signing table! Since this function is one that causes extra charges for my cell phone, I refuse and tell them they have to accept scan backs when I get back to my office (for which I charge for the time involved!). When you total up the number of hours involved in a signing, from receiving and printing the documents, drive times to and from, actual time spent at the signing table, time to scan documents, package them, and drive to the drop site, then deduct actual overhead and expenses plus background checks, notary supplies, etc., then take those that total dollar figure and divide it by the actual fee paid and the final dollar figure, which is what we receive in payment for our work, you will see we are lucky to be getting less than half of the minimum wage. And the fees offered are getting lower and lower. I sat down with a woman who thought being a notary signing agent would be a good way to make some money. I showed her how to figure her business overhead, just like the IRS allows, and showed her how laughable the fees are, and explained how much time she will spend on each order. At the end of all the arithmetic, she saw she would actually receive less than 5 dollars an hour, and nowhere near the state fee for each notarization. She decided she had been sadly misinformed about how she could make a lot of money! To top it off, notaries who have been in the business fir many years are given pages of extra instructions from lender and title alike that are almost insulting! If the signing agent doesn't already practice these most basic things, they should not be hired! Makes me wonder why I keep doing it. It sure isn't for the money or respect! I have always been proud to be a professional in my work. Now I wonder why I bother. The only people who seem truly happy about my work are the borrowers I deal with! Sad.

Hello. If you are referring to California's guidelines for recording information in journal entries, the CA Secretary of State's 2018 Notary Newsletter includes the following instructions on page 2: "If you are notarizing multiple documents for a signer or signers, each notarial act must be indicated clearly in your journal. Hash marks, ditto marks, arrows, lines, or other shortcuts do not meet the requirements for entering a complete notarial act into your journal." Also on page 3: "California law (Government Code section 8206(a)) is very specific with regards to the required elements for notary public journal entries." You can find the 2018 CA state newsletter online at https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2018.pdf.

Pamela

If a husband and wife, known personally, are signing multiple documents (Title & Loan Documents) is a single notary entry in the journal acceptable. Their Arizona licenses are kept on file?

BobH

20 Dec 2017

I'm a California notary and while I respect the Calif Secretary of State's comments, this is not law. The notary's requirements can be quite onerous at a signing, often with more than 7 notarized signature per signer (with decreasing pay thanks to *&^%$#@! Snapdocs!). To answer Len Taylor, I use the Modern Journal of Notarial Events and it comes with check boxes for the common real estate/loan related documents (including indicating whether it's a Ack or Jurat), so even if 10 notarized signatures is needed, only 1 'line' in the journal needs to be completed (in most cases) per signer. If a copy is ever requested (in my 11 years, that has never happened), I would simply provide that one line item, since all the notarized signatures are related to that real estate/loan transaction and it's irrelevant if one sees the full list of documents notarized in that one transaction.

Please see this statement from the California Secretary of State's office on page 4 of the official 2014 Notary Newsletter (http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2014.pdf) and linked in the article above: "Remember that you may be asked to provide a copy of a line item in your journal, which is why each line item entry must be complete. You cannot use hash marks, ditto marks, arrows, or other shortcuts."

In CA, Does the non-use of dittos or arrows apply also to columns that are optional, not mandatory? For instance, Jurat or Ack is required, so we could not use dittos or arrows for that. But what about the signers name and address, which is not a mandatory column?

19 Dec 2017

In CA, does the non-use of dittos or arrows in notary book apply equally to both required columns (e.g. Ack vs. Jurat, date/time, ID) and optional columns (e.g. name/address of signer or address where notarized)?

Hello. In the CA Secretary of State's 2014 newsletter for Notaries linked above, the Secretary of State specifically instructs Notaries not to use hash marks, ditto marks, arrows, or other shortcuts for journal entries.

Len Taylor

18 Dec 2017

In 20 years in CA, I have never had a public request for a journal entry or court order/peace officer request for my journal. However, if I did, I would never want to be possibly charged with a misdemeanor on an improper notarization due to not completing a separate entry in full for each doc. So, when possible, I take about 15-20 minutes to pre-fill the notary certificates (with the exception of my signatures & stamps) and complete separate journal entries for each notarial act prior to the appointment. In order to do this, I must exclude unnecessary information and thumbprints in my journal (i.e. addresses, thumbprints for non-real estate/non-POA docs). If the NNA does not create a streamlined version of a Journal for signing agents (with some pre-filled portions such as Type of Notarization and Identification of Signer), I will probably create my own journal and market it to signing agents. What are your thoughts?

Chris

I love the NNA. I will like to see it advocate for a multiple entry journal. In a husband and wife refinance Signing; with almost 10 documents needing notarization, we are required to have 20 line entries. Signers are getting upset in having to sign that many lines. They say and I agree that it is time consuming. NNA should have multiple checkable journal

Hayden

20 Dec 2016

So thankful Arizona allows us to group entries! I sign estate plans with anywhere from 15-20 signatures and I can't imagine having to fill out a separate entry for each one.

L King

19 Dec 2016

I do not agree that California requires a separate journal entry for each notarization when notarizing multiple documents for a single signer. I do agree that California notaries may not use ditto marks for journal entries.

Hello. Please see this statement from the California Secretary of State's office on page 4 of the official 2014 Notary Newsletter (http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2014.pdf) and linked in the article above: "Remember that you may be asked to provide a copy of a line item in your journal, which is why each line item entry must be complete. You cannot use hash marks, ditto marks, arrows, or other shortcuts."

Judy Reyes

Unfortunately for the professional Notary Signing Agent who follows the law and regs to the letter in CA: Title and lender packages I've seen lately have had 20-26 separate signatures to be notarized. This means that each document signature notarized must have a complete, separately written journal entry. Which I do comply with, but I know many local NSA's don't follow this rule and take short cuts. @Ray Leyva, this is not an easy nor quick process. I have discussed this with signing services at length and they will not pay more for these onerous signings. I should be receiving $10 per signature for the work involved. Ha, in my dreams! $100 total is the most they are paying for everything that must be done for a complex signing. This is another way that our work has been cheapened to the point of not being worth it. Since no one but no one will listen to reason, I now routinely turn down jobs when I know the pattern of that particular title company to request so many notarized signatures for so little money.

Coryna

My Notary journal has a list that gives the ability to check if the document is an Ack. or a Jurat, and I'm able to mark multiple documents per entry.

Ray Leyva

Please show examples

Caroline Wong

This appears in the middle of your article so I need to get rid of it therefore I am completing it. Thank you.

Hello. If you are having technical issues reading any Bulletin articles, please contact us at social@nationalnotary.org so that we can assist you.

Amber Watson

I have checked with a few different sources, California does not require separate journal entries for each notary on the same signing, however, it is recommended but there is no law in place.

Susana Echeveste

Thank You for this newsletter! It has been very helpful to me.

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Can I use ditto marks in my Notary journal?

Can I record multiple documents in one journal entry?

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