How long must a notary keep their journal?

• A. At least 1 year
• B. At least 5 years from the last entry
• C. At least 10 years
• D. Until the notary retires

Answer: (B)

The journal must be kept for five years after the date of the last entry. This retention period ensures there is a complete, verifiable record of all notarial acts that can be reviewed if questions or investigations arise, even after you stop performing notarial acts. The five-year window starts with the most recent entry, so you maintain the record for five years from that date regardless of whether you retire or move on. Shorter timeframes (like one year) would leave gaps for potential inquiries, while longer periods aren’t required by the statute.