IN Notary Indiana Notary Journal Requirements

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Yes, all Indiana notaries must maintain a journal as required by statute

Answer

No, journals are optional in Indiana and only recommended as best practice

Answer

Yes, but only for notaries who perform more than 50 acts per year

Answer

No, the notarial certificate on the document itself serves as the official record

Question 2

What information must an Indiana notary record in their journal for each notarial act?

Accepted Answer

The date, time, type of act, name of signer, description of document, and method of identification

Answer

Only the date and the type of act performed

Answer

The signer's Social Security number, address, and the notary's commission number

Answer

Only the signer's name and signature — other details are optional

Question 3

In what format may an Indiana notary maintain their notarial journal?

Accepted Answer

Either a bound paper journal or an electronic journal that meets state requirements

Answer

Only in a bound paper journal — electronic formats are not permitted

Answer

Only in electronic format approved by the Secretary of State

Answer

In any format the notary prefers, including loose-leaf binders or spreadsheets

Question 4

How long must an Indiana notary retain their notarial journal after the final entry?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

3 years

Answer

5 years

Question 5

What should an Indiana notary do with their journal if their commission expires and they do not renew?

Accepted Answer

Retain the journal for the required 10-year period even after the commission expires

Answer

Destroy the journal to protect signer privacy

Answer

Submit the journal to the Indiana Secretary of State's office

Answer

Transfer the journal to another active notary in their office

Question 6

When a person demands to inspect an Indiana notary's journal, who has the right to access it?

Accepted Answer

Persons with a direct interest in a transaction recorded in the journal, or law enforcement with proper authority

Answer

Anyone who requests it, because the journal is a public record

Answer

Only law enforcement officers and judges by subpoena

Answer

Only the notary themselves — it is a strictly private record