Guide

Guides for notaries

These guides cover the questions notaries ask most about journals: whether you must keep one, what to record, how long to keep it, when a thumbprint is needed and how loan signing agents track fees. Each one links to official sources and is not legal advice.

Journal basics

Start here if you are new to journals. These guides cover whether you must keep one, what to record, how long to keep it and when a thumbprint is needed.

State rules

Rules differ by state, so state-specific facts live on the state pages. Each guide links to official sources.

Business basics

Loan signing agents can read loan signing agent business basics for how fees, travel and mileage are tracked.

Ready to keep your entries in one place? Get the iOS app for Notary Journal, a notary journal and fee and mileage log for iPhone.

Not legal advice. Check your state's notary handbook or commissioning office before you rely on any summary here.