Notary Journal Comparison

Notaries may choose a notary journal from several sources, including a local office supply store, or on the website of a notary association, or an online notary supply store. Some notary instructors sell notary journals in the notary training class.

The comparison chart below helps notaries choose a journal that best suits their needs. A notary journal must comply with state notary laws, so be sure to read your laws before your purchase.

State Laws on Keeping a Notary Journal

Some states require notaries to keep a journal, some do not. Even if a journal is not required in your state, it is wise to keep a notary journal. It provides evidence that the notary is using reasonable care for each transaction. It provides useful information in case there are future questions about a transaction.

A journal is not expensive, and it holds hundreds of transactions, so cost is not a burden or excuse for not keeping a journal.

A journal should be tamper-resistant to prevent pages from being added or removed. Loose pages kept in a 3-ring binder or a spiral notebook is not a secure notary journal. Sequential page numbering and sequential transaction numbering are useful security features. A thumbprint is a useful security feature, where allowed by state law.

Acid-free archival grade paper should be used for long-term storage and preservation of paper records. Archived journals should be stored in a controlled environment, protected from high temperature, high humidity, light, water, contamination, pets, and pests, following best practices for paper records used by archives and museums.

The notary journal should be kept secure at all times. It may be kept in a fireproof, waterproof safe. Some states require that notary journals must be delivered to the state notary regulator when the notary’s career is over. Before turning in your journal, make a copy to keep for your records, in case a question arises.

Colorado Notary Journal Requirements

Colorado notary law CRS 12-55-111 requires the following information to be recorded in the notary journal, at the time of notarization:

date of notarial act
type of act (oath, affirmation, acknowledgment, certified copy)
title or type of document
document date, if different from date of notarization
name and address of signer
signature of signer
name and address of any witnesses
signature of any witnesses
any other information the notary considers appropriate

The Colorado Secretary of State (SOS) recommends taking a thumbprint in the journal for all signers, as a best practice to prevent fraud. To prevent identity theft, do not record the full ID number of the signer in the journal. Only record the last 4 digits.

Cover Photos

American Association of Notaries® (AAN)

Dome® Publishing

Notary Law Institute (NLI)

National Notary Association® (NNA®)

Notary Rotary®