Notary Exam Notary Journal and Record Keeping 2

Question 1

Why is it recommended that notaries obtain a signer's thumbprint in their journal?

Accepted Answer

It provides an additional layer of identification useful in fraud investigations

Answer

It is required by all states for every document

Answer

It replaces the need for any photo ID

Answer

It is required for digital documents only

Question 2

What should a notary do if their journal is lost or stolen?

Accepted Answer

Notify the commissioning authority immediately and purchase a new journal

Answer

Do nothing and wait to see if it is returned

Answer

Create a new journal and continue working without reporting

Answer

Report the loss only if a complaint is filed

Question 3

What should happen to a notary's journal when their commission expires or is revoked?

Accepted Answer

It should be retained by the notary or surrendered to the appropriate state authority per state law

Answer

It should be destroyed to protect client privacy

Answer

It automatically becomes the property of the county recorder

Answer

It should be sent to the notary's employer

Question 4

What is the purpose of the signer's signature in the notary journal?

Accepted Answer

To create a record directly linking the signer to the specific notarial act

Answer

To replace the signature on the actual document

Answer

For the notary's personal reference files only

Answer

It is merely a formality with no legal purpose

Question 5

What should a notary do if a signer refuses to sign the notary journal?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarial act in states that require a journal signature

Answer

Proceed with the notarization—the journal signature is optional

Answer

Ask a witness to sign on the signer's behalf

Answer

Make a note and proceed anyway

Question 6

How should a notary store their official journal to protect its security?

Accepted Answer

In a secure location such as a locked cabinet or drawer

Answer

In a publicly accessible location for transparency

Answer

With the client who requested the notarization

Answer

On their employer's desk for easy access