California Notary Public Exam · Notarial Acts and Documentation
California Notary Public Exam: The Notary Journal Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the notary's journal, the official record of every notarial act. The journal protects the public and the notary by showing who appeared, what was signed, and how identity was proven.
A notary keeps one active sequential journal at a time and records each act in order at the time it is performed. Each entry includes the date, time, and type of act, the type of document, the signature of each person whose signature is notarized, how identity was established, and the fee charged. For real property documents and powers of attorney, the signer also leaves a right thumbprint, except for foreclosure trustee's deeds and deeds of reconveyance. If the right thumb is not available, the notary uses the left thumb or another finger and notes this in the journal.
The journal must be kept in a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control. It belongs to the notary, even if an employer paid for it. If it is lost, stolen, or damaged, the notary must notify the Secretary of State immediately by certified or registered mail or another delivery method with a receipt.
A member of the public may ask in writing for a copy of a journal line, giving the names of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year it was notarized. The notary may charge no more than 30 cents per page. A peace officer investigating a crime may take the journal; the notary gets a receipt and notifies the Secretary of State within 10 days. When a notary resigns or the commission ends without renewal, the journal and records go to the county clerk within 30 days.
Key concepts
One sequential journal
A notary keeps one active sequential journal at a time and records every notarial act in order, at the time it is performed.
Memory tipOne book, in order, as you go.
Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026
Journal entry contents
Date, time, and type of act; the type of document; the signature of each signer; how identity was proven, including ID details; and the fee charged.
Memory tipWhen, what, who, how identified, how much.
Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026
Thumbprint rule
For a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, other real property document, or power of attorney, the signer leaves a right thumbprint in the journal (or the left thumb or any finger, with a note). Foreclosure trustee's deeds and deeds of reconveyance are exceptions.
Memory tipReal property or power of attorney = thumbprint.
Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026
Security and ownership
The journal is kept in a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control. It is the notary's property and is not given to an employer.
Memory tipLocked, mine, never the boss's.
Lost or stolen journal
If the journal is stolen, lost, misplaced, destroyed, damaged, or unusable, the notary must immediately notify the Secretary of State by certified or registered mail or another delivery method that gives a receipt.
Memory tipLost journal: tell the state right away.
Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026
Copies and surrender
A written public request names the parties, document type, and month and year; copies cost no more than 30 cents a page. A journal given to a peace officer is reported to the Secretary of State within 10 days.
Memory tip30 cents a page; peace officer report in 10 days.
Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026
Often tested
- Only one active journal at a time, kept locked.
- Thumbprints are required for real property documents and powers of attorney, except trustee's deeds resulting from a foreclosure and deeds of reconveyance.
- Report a lost or stolen journal immediately.
- On resignation or expiration, deliver journals to the county clerk within 30 days.
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. How many active journals of notarial acts may a California notary keep at one time?
- ① As many as needed
- ② One
- ③ Two, one for business and one for personal use
- ④ One for each employer
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Answer: ② One
Key point: One active sequential journal at a time
A California notary must keep one active sequential journal at a time, recording all official acts in order.
Wrong choices
- As many as needed: The law allows only one active sequential journal at a time.
- Two, one for business and one for personal use: Only one active journal is allowed.
- One for each employer: Even with several employers, the notary keeps one active journal.
Question 2. Where must a notary keep the journal when it is not in use?
- ① In an unlocked desk drawer at the office
- ② With the office manager, who keeps all company records
- ③ In a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control
- ④ At the county clerk's office
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Answer: ③ In a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control
Key point: Journal must be locked and under your control
The journal must be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary. Failure to secure it can lead to action against the commission.
Wrong choices
- In an unlocked desk drawer at the office: An unlocked drawer is not a locked and secured area.
- With the office manager, who keeps all company records: The journal must stay under the notary's exclusive control.
- At the county clerk's office: The county clerk receives journals only when a commission ends.
Question 3. For which document must the signer leave a thumbprint in the notary's journal?
- ① A letter of employment verification
- ② An affidavit of identity
- ③ A permission letter for a child to travel
- ④ A power of attorney
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Answer: ④ A power of attorney
Key point: Thumbprint: real property docs and POA
A right thumbprint is required in the journal when the document is a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, or other document affecting real property, or a power of attorney.
Wrong choices
- A letter of employment verification: This is not a real property document or power of attorney.
- An affidavit of identity: An affidavit does not trigger the thumbprint rule.
- A permission letter for a child to travel: This is not a real property document or power of attorney.