Who owns a notary journal that contains only non-public records?

• A. The notary public
• B. The state
• C. The employer
• D. The public

Answer: (C)

Ownership of a notary journal is tied to who maintains and uses the records in a given relationship. When a notary works for an employer, the journal—the records of notarial acts—becomes the employer’s property because it supports the employer’s business activities and records. The notary is the custodian who must guard confidentiality and handle the records properly, but the employer owns them and is responsible for safekeeping, retention, and disposal according to policy and law. The state oversees the notary’s commission and may inspect records, but ownership of the journal in this employment context lies with the employer, not the public or the state.