What should notaries do with their journals after their commission expires?

Notaries are required to maintain their journals for a minimum of 10 years after their commission expires. This requirement ensures that there is a record of all notarial acts performed during their commission, as these records may be needed for legal purposes or in the event of a dispute. Keeping the journal for this duration allows for adequate time to address any inquiries or investigations that may arise regarding past notarial activities.

The other options do not align with the legal obligations set forth for notaries in California. Discarding the journals immediately would undermine the integrity of the notarial system and could prevent access to important records. Sending them to the Secretary of State is not a standard requirement for expired journals. Transferring them to a new notary would also be inappropriate, as the records belong to the individual notary and must be retained by them for the stipulated time.