AL Notary Notary Record-Keeping and Journal

Question 1

Is an Alabama notary required by state law to maintain a notary journal?

Accepted Answer

Alabama law does not mandate a journal but strongly recommends one for liability protection

Answer

Yes, all Alabama notaries must keep a journal by law

Answer

Only notaries who handle real estate transactions must keep a journal

Answer

Only electronic notaries are required to keep a journal

Question 2

What information is recommended to be recorded in an Alabama notary's journal entry?

Accepted Answer

Date, type of act, document type, signer's name and ID, and fee charged

Answer

Only the signer's name and the document type

Answer

The signer's full Social Security number and address

Answer

The document's full text and all parties' signatures

Question 3

An Alabama notary's journal should be kept:

Accepted Answer

In a bound, paginated book or secure electronic format

Answer

On loose-leaf paper stored in a filing cabinet

Answer

As part of the notarized document itself

Answer

Only in digital form after 2020

Question 4

How long should an Alabama notary retain journal records after the commission expires?

Accepted Answer

Best practice recommends retaining records for at least 10 years

Answer

Records should be destroyed immediately upon commission expiration

Answer

Records must be retained for 3 years under Alabama law

Answer

Records are transferred to the Secretary of State upon expiration

Question 5

An Alabama notary receives a subpoena for their notary journal. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Comply with the subpoena and provide the journal as directed by the court

Answer

Refuse and claim notary-signer privilege

Answer

Contact the Secretary of State before responding

Answer

Destroy the journal to protect client privacy

Question 6

When an Alabama notary journal is lost or stolen, the notary should:

Accepted Answer

Report the loss to local law enforcement and notify the Secretary of State

Answer

Simply purchase a new journal and continue notarizing

Answer

Suspend all notarial activities permanently

Answer

Reconstruct entries from memory and file with the county probate court