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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Do I need to record document witnesses in my journal entry?

By NNA Staff on December 28, 2021

Does Nevada allow a notary to be a witness on a document they are also notarizing? Also, does a witness need to be entered in the journal entry? — A.C., Nevada

Nevada law does not address this issue of acting as a witness and the Notary on the same document. However, if the witness’s signature must be notarized, you cannot be a witness because a Notary cannot notarize his or her own signature. You are not required to record the witness’s information in your journal. However, it is a best practice to add a notation in your journal, such as, “John Doe signed as witness.”

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

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.



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8 Comments

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Mike in Tx

03 Jan 2022

If you are recording a witness in a journal, is there any duty to identify the witness? While not notarizing the actual witness signature, is noting that witness any more relevant than any other written information on the document? Should you accept a witnessed document without notarizing the actual witness, is there any legal duty to identify that witness and if not, why should it be included in the journal entry?

National Notary Association

05 Jan 2022

Hello. For each notarization performed, a Texas Notary must record the following (GC 406.014[a] and CPRC 121.012[a] through [d]): 1. The date of each document notarized; 2. The date of the notarization; 3. The name of the signer, grantor, subscribing witness or maker; 4. The signer’s, grantor’s, subscribing witness’s or maker’s mailing address; 5. Whether the signer, grantor or maker is personally known by the Notary; was identified by an ID card issued by a governmental agency or by a U.S. passport; or was introduced to the Notary and, if so, the name and residence address of the introducer; 6. If the document is proved by a subscribing witness, whether the witness was personally known by the Notary or introduced, and, if introduced, the name and mailing address of the introducer; 7. The name and mailing address of the grantee; 8. If land is conveyed or charged by the document, the name of the original grantee and the county where the land is located; and 9. A brief description of the document.

Varun Kapoor

06 Jan 2022

Its for CA , In Durable POA , do the notary have to record both witnesses information in his journal entry or just check their id and record principal's information. 2. In loan docs like reverse mtg , there are sometimes docs require witness , so notary has to record witness information or its fine to see their sign.

National Notary Association

13 Jan 2022

Typically, the signatures of witnesses are not notarized and therefore, a Notary would not review their ID nor would their information be entered in the journal. If you received instructions to notarize the signatures of the witnesses, they you would identify them and enter their information in your journal.

Cindy Pride

18 Apr 2024

If I record all information for the signer of a document, do I have to have the Witness sign the notary book and record their information (address, etc.) as well?

National Notary Association

25 Apr 2024

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

Laura Hernandez

08 Jun 2024

On a California SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT FOR A REVOCABLE TRUST form it requires 2 witness to sign. Do I need the witnesses sign the notary journal book?

National Notary Association

10 Jun 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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