Short answer: set by your state
Retention is set by state law. Texas requires records kept ten years, Florida requires online journals kept at least ten years, and California sends journals to the county clerk after the commission ends. Check your own state.
Texas: ten years from the notarization
Texas requires records kept until the tenth anniversary of each notarization, for notarizations since September 1, 2025. This comes from SB 693, which adds Gov Code 406.014(g). Source: SB 693 bill text. See Texas.
Florida: ten years for online notarizations
Florida requires an online notarization journal kept at least 10 years after the notarial act (117.245(4)). Source: Florida Statutes Chapter 117. See Florida.
California: deliver to the county clerk
California has no fixed period. Within 30 days after the commission is no longer valid, journals go to the county clerk (Gov Code 8209). Source: California Notary Public Handbook. See California.
Employers and your journal
In California, the journal is the notary's exclusive property and cannot be surrendered to an employer, per the California Notary Public Handbook. For other states, ask your commissioning office .
Storing digital records safely
Keep a copy you can export, and keep it for as long as your state requires. Notary Journal supports PDF and CSV export.
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.