Notary Journal and Record Keeping Flashcards

In Vermont, what should a notary do if asked to provide a copy of their journal entry in a lawsuit?

Answer: Comply if served with a valid subpoena

If served with a valid subpoena, a Vermont notary should comply and provide the requested journal information as required by law.

What type of journal is recommended for Vermont notaries who perform mostly traditional in-person notarizations?

Answer: A bound, sequential journal with numbered pages

A bound journal with sequentially numbered pages is recommended because it makes it difficult to add, remove, or alter entries without detection.

If a Vermont notary makes an error in a journal entry, the correct way to correct it is to:

Answer: Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it

The proper correction method is to draw a single line through the error, write the correct information nearby, and initial the correction to show it was intentional.

Should a Vermont notary journal entry include the fee charged for the notarial act?

Answer: Yes, recording fees is a good practice and helps document compliance with fee limits

Recording the fee in the journal is good practice because it documents compliance with Vermont's maximum fee schedule and creates an accurate financial record.

A Vermont notary retired and passed away. What should happen to their notary journal?

Answer: Their estate should preserve it for the remainder of the retention period

Upon a notary's death, their estate is responsible for preserving the notary journal for the remainder of the recommended retention period.

Which entry is most important to protect a Vermont notary against a forgery claim?

Answer: The signer's signature or thumbprint in the journal

Having the signer place their signature or thumbprint in the journal is the strongest evidence that the signer personally appeared before the notary.