When can a notary public certify copies of their journals?

A notary public can certify copies of their journals only in response to a subpoena or court order. This is rooted in the legal and ethical obligations that notaries have regarding the confidentiality and security of the information contained in their journals. Journals serve as essential records of the notarial acts that a notary has performed, and they must be protected to maintain the integrity of those transactions.

When a subpoena or court order is issued, it signifies a legal demand for the notary to produce specific records as evidence in a legal matter. In such cases, compliance is mandatory, and the notary is authorized to provide copies of the journal entries requested. This process ensures that the information can be appropriately reviewed and considered within the context of the legal proceedings.

The other options do not allow for the certification of journal copies. A notary cannot certify copies at the mere request of a client, as that does not meet the legal threshold that necessitates disclosure. Permission from the signer does not suffice either; the privacy and confidentiality of the journal must remain intact unless legally obligated to divulge them. Lastly, stating that notaries cannot ever certify journal copies would be inaccurate, as the requirement to do so arises under specific legal circumstances. Thus, the correct answer reflects the