--- title: "What Is a Notary Journal? Meaning & Example | MCC Solutions" description: "A bound or electronic record of each notarial act the notary performs. A worked example, how it differs from a notarial certificate and common mistakes." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/glossary/notary-journal" --- Notary glossary # What is a notary journal? A bound or electronic record of each notarial act the notary performs. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) ## In plain English Entries usually include the date, type of act, signer's name, how identity was verified and the fee. Some states require a journal and others recommend one. Building a notary business? [The loan signing agent course](/courses/loan-signing-agent). Keep it secure and keep it for the time your state requires. A clear entry also protects you if a signing is questioned years later, because it shows what was checked and when. ## Why it matters When a signature is challenged years later, the journal entry may be the only record of who appeared, what ID was shown and what was signed. A thin or missing entry leaves the notary with little to point to. New Jersey requires notaries to keep a journal and to retain it for at least ten years. Signers who are asked to sign the journal are helping create that record, not giving up privacy for no reason. ## Worked example After each signing the notary logs the date, document type, signer, ID shown and fee, and has the signer sign if the state requires it. ## What to do - Record each act at the time it happens, not later from memory. - Capture the date, type of act, document description, signer name and how identity was confirmed. - Have the signer sign the journal where the state requires it. - Store the journal securely and limit who can see it. - Keep it for the full period your state requires. ## Common mistakes - Logging a whole loan package as one line can make it hard to show later which pages were notarized. - Writing full ID numbers where the state does not require them exposes sensitive data if the journal is lost. - Leaving the journal in a car or shared office risks theft and a privacy breach. ## Not the same as: Notarial certificate The certificate goes with the document to whoever receives it, while the journal stays with the notary as a private record of every act performed. [See Notarial certificate](/notary/glossary/notarial-certificate). ## Go deeper - [What a Notary Journal Must Record, Entry by Entry](/notary/guides/what-a-notary-journal-must-record): A walk through the fields a notary journal entry usually needs: date, act type, signer details, ID information, fees and notes, plus tips for clean entries. - [How Long to Keep a Notary Journal and Where to Store It](/notary/guides/how-long-to-keep-a-notary-journal): How long notaries keep journals, where to store them safely, what to do when a commission ends, and how to handle subpoenas or requests for copies. - [The Notary Journal at a Loan Signing: What Gets Recorded](/notary/guides/notary-journal-at-a-loan-signing): Why notaries keep a journal, what each entry contains for a loan signing, how ID details and signatures are recorded, and what the signer can expect to be asked. ## Try it [Use the related free tool](/notary/notary-journal-template). ## Related terms - [Notary scam](/notary/glossary/notary-scam): A fake job or check scheme that targets notaries and signing agents. - [Notary seal or stamp](/notary/glossary/notary-seal): The stamp or embosser a notary places on a certificate that shows their name and commission details. - [Notary bond](/notary/glossary/notary-bond): A surety bond some states require a notary to hold to protect the public from misconduct. ## Common questions **What is a notary journal?** A bound or electronic record of each notarial act the notary performs. **Can you give an example of notary journal?** After each signing the notary logs the date, document type, signer, ID shown and fee, and has the signer sign if the state requires it. **Why does the notary want me to sign the journal?** A journal signature ties you to the record of the act. Many states require it, and it helps if questions come up later. **Can I get a copy of a journal entry for my signing?** Some states allow copies of specific entries on request with limits. Ask the notary what their state permits. General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and change; check with your state's commissioning office. Need help? [### Mobile notary Mobile signings in New Jersey, remote online notarization and apostille help. Notary services →](/notary/) [Full glossary](/notary/glossary) Do it yourself ### New Jersey Notary Starter Kit The paperwork a new notary has to build from scratch, ready to print or edit: a journal laid out for what New Jersey's manual says to record, checklists, forms and client emails. [See what's inside ($29)](/toolkits/nj-notary-starter-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/nj-notary-starter-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund Course: [Start a Mobile Notary Business in New Jersey](/courses/nj-mobile-notary-business) ($79) covers the NJ rules, honest travel pricing, clients and safety for mobile appointments. It is training with a certificate of completion, not a credential. ## Need a document notarized? Book a notary. [Book a notary](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)