What must notaries keep under their direct control?

Notaries must keep their stamp and journal under their direct control to maintain the security and integrity of the notarization process. The notary stamp is a critical tool that authenticates a signature and verifies that the notary has completed the notarization according to legal standards. If the stamp is misplaced or falls into unauthorized hands, it can lead to fraudulent activities.

The journal, which records details of each notarization performed, is also essential for tracking past notarizations and providing an official record if questions or disputes arise. Maintaining both the stamp and the journal under direct control ensures that they are protected from theft or misuse, fulfilling the notary's legal responsibility to uphold the integrity of the notarization process.

While copies of notarized documents, client records, and work phones are important, they do not have the same level of critical importance in terms of direct control and security as the notary's stamp and journal. Therefore, keeping the stamp and journal secure is paramount in ensuring proper notarial practices.