If I am notarizing two different documents for the same individual, does he need to sign my journal twice? Or is it just one signature noting two different documents. — R.A., Maryland
You have two options. You can create two full journal entries and have the signer sign each entry. If, however, both documents are notarized at the same time, you may use acceptable shortcuts to record both journal entries. If you are using the NNA’s Official Journal of Notarial Acts, you would create a full journal entry for the first document and use ditto marks in the entry immediately below for the information that is the same for both documents. In the signature columns, you may insert a diagonal line between both columns and have the signer sign along the diagonal line.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
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