Must a notary keep all journal entries in sequential order?

A notary is required to maintain a journal of all notarial acts, and these entries must be kept in chronological order. This practice is essential for several reasons. First, it assists in establishing a clear record of the transactions conducted by the notary, which can be crucial in the event of questioning or legal disputes surrounding those transactions. Second, maintaining sequential order helps ensure that the journal is organized and easily navigable, allowing for efficient audits or reviews by regulatory entities if necessary.

The requirement for sequential order extends to all notarial acts, not just limited types of documents or specific days of the week, thus ensuring comprehensive compliance with California’s notary laws. Keeping journal entries in a random order could lead to confusion and potentially hinder the ability to provide accurate records when needed, undermining the notary's functions and duties.