DE Notary Notary Journal and Record Keeping

Question 1

Is a Delaware notary required by law to maintain a notary journal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Delaware law requires notaries to keep a journal of notarial acts

Answer

No, a journal is optional but recommended

Answer

Yes, but only for real estate transactions

Answer

No, records are kept by the county only

Question 2

What information must be recorded in a Delaware notary's journal for each notarial act?

Accepted Answer

Date, type of notarial act, document type, signer name, and identification used

Answer

Only the signer's name and date

Answer

Only the document type and fee charged

Answer

Only the notary's signature and date

Question 3

How long must a Delaware notary retain their journal after it is full or after their commission expires?

Accepted Answer

At least 10 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

3 years

Answer

5 years

Question 4

What should a Delaware notary do with their journal if their commission is revoked?

Accepted Answer

Retain the journal as required by law and do not destroy it

Answer

Immediately destroy all journal entries

Answer

Submit the journal to the county clerk

Answer

Surrender the journal to the Secretary of State

Question 5

May a Delaware notary's employer confiscate the notary's official journal?

Accepted Answer

No, the journal is the personal property of the notary

Answer

Yes, if the notary conducted acts on company time

Answer

Yes, employers have full rights to notary records

Answer

No, but the employer may request copies

Question 6

If a Delaware notary loses their journal, what should they do?

Accepted Answer

Notify the Delaware Secretary of State promptly

Answer

Purchase a new journal and continue without reporting the loss

Answer

File a report with local law enforcement only

Answer

Recreate the journal from memory