To Journal or Not to Journal

I get calls all the time about whether you should log an event in the journal or not. For the record, here is our policy on the journal:

• If you perform notary service, log it in the journal.
• If you deny notary service, for any reason, log it in the journal
• If your state does not require journals, log your service anyway.
• If you have multiple documents from the same signer, make one journal entry per document, per person signing.
• If you do not charge for notary service, log it in your journal and the reason why you did not charge.
• Make sure the signer signs your journal and, if possible, thumbprint the journal as well.
  
• If you run out of space in your journal, buy another one and possibly a back-up!

The notary journal with the signature and thumbprint of the signer is positive proof that the signer appeared before the notary. It is fool proof evidence if ever called to court. Your journal is your best friend, as long as you are consistent in using it.