California Notary Journal Requirements Explained

California is one of the most regulated states when it comes to notary public requirements. One of the most important requirements is the maintenance of a sequential notary journal — a record of every notarization performed.

What Is a Notary Journal?

A notary journal (also called a notary record book) is a bound, sequential record that every California notary is required by law to maintain. California Government Code Section 8206 specifies exactly what must be recorded for each notarization.

What Must Be Recorded in the Notary Journal?

For each notarization, a California notary must record:

• The date and time of the notarial act
• The type of notarial act performed (acknowledgment, jurat, etc.)
• The character (type) of the document notarized
• The signature of each person who appears before the notary
• The type of identification document presented and its identifying details
• The notary fee charged
• If identification was by credible witness, the credible witness's information

Types of Notarial Acts in California

• Acknowledgment — The signer personally appears before the notary and acknowledges signing the document. Most common type.
• Jurat — The signer signs in the presence of the notary and swears or affirms that the contents are true. Used for affidavits and sworn statements.
• Certified Copy — The notary certifies that a copy of a document is a true and correct copy of the original (limited to certain documents).
• Signature by Mark — When a signer cannot write their full signature due to physical disability.

How Long Are Notary Journals Kept?

California notaries are required to keep their journals for a minimum of 10 years after the last notarization recorded in the journal. When a notary retires or lets their commission expire, they must deliver their journal to the county clerk of the county where their oath of office is on file.

Can You Request a Copy of a Journal Entry?

Yes. Under California Government Code Section 8206(a)(2)(D), any member of the public may request a copy of a line item in a notary's journal within 10 days. The notary may charge the actual cost of providing the copy.

However, the notary is only required to provide copies of entries — not the entire journal.

What Happens to the Journal if the Notary Retires?

Upon resignation, disqualification, revocation of commission, or failure to renew, the notary must deliver all journals to the clerk of the county where the notary's current oath of office is on file. The county clerk retains these records permanently as public records.

Why This Matters for You

The notary journal serves as an official record of your notarization. If a document is ever disputed, lost, or challenged in court, the notary's journal entry provides evidence that the notarization occurred, who signed, and what identification was presented. This protects both signers and the parties relying on notarized documents.