DE Notary Notary Journal and Record Keeping 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can a Delaware notary keep their journal in an electronic format?
- Yes, if using an approved electronic journal system (Correct answer)
- No, journals must always be paper-based
- Yes, any spreadsheet software is acceptable
- No, electronic records are never valid for notaries
Correct answer: Yes, if using an approved electronic journal system
Delaware permits electronic journals for notaries, particularly for Remote Online Notarization, provided the system meets state requirements.
Question 2: What is the purpose of recording the signer's thumbprint in a notary journal?
- To provide an additional biometric safeguard against fraud for high-risk documents (Correct answer)
- To comply with ADA requirements
- To create an artistic record of the notarial act
- To replace the need for photo identification
Correct answer: To provide an additional biometric safeguard against fraud for high-risk documents
Recording a signer's thumbprint provides a biometric safeguard that can help identify a fraudster even if fake identification was used.
Question 3: When recording an identification card in the notary journal, what details should be noted?
- Type of ID, issuing agency, ID number, and expiration date (Correct answer)
- Only the ID type
- Only the signer's name as it appears on the ID
- The ID number and the notary's verification initials only
Correct answer: Type of ID, issuing agency, ID number, and expiration date
Recording the type, issuing agency, ID number, and expiration date creates a complete identification record for each journal entry.
Question 4: If a notary makes an error in a journal entry, how should it be corrected?
- Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it (Correct answer)
- Use correction fluid to cover the error
- Tear out the page and start over
- Erase the entry completely
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it
Journal errors should be corrected by drawing a single line through the mistake, writing the correction nearby, and initialing the change.
Question 5: Which of the following should NOT be recorded in a Delaware notary journal?
- The notary's personal bank account information (Correct answer)
- The date of the notarial act
- The type of document notarized
- The signer's printed name
Correct answer: The notary's personal bank account information
Personal financial information about the notary has no place in the notary journal; only information about the notarial act and signer belongs there.
Question 6: What is the recommended format for organizing entries in a Delaware notary journal?
- Sequential, chronological entries numbered consecutively (Correct answer)
- Alphabetical by signer last name
- Organized by document type
- Organized by geographic location of act
Correct answer: Sequential, chronological entries numbered consecutively
Notary journals should be organized sequentially and chronologically so each act can be easily located and referenced.
DE Notary Notary Journal and Record Keeping 2
Can a Delaware notary keep their journal in an electronic format?