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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Does my state require me to take fingerprints for my journal?

By NNA Staff on February 14, 2023

Photo of woman with long dark hair on phone. She is looking at papers in her hand. Text on image reads NNA Hotline Tip.

Is a signer’s fingerprint required for my Notary journal entries in Texas, or is it against the law to take their fingerprint? — P. S., Texas

A Texas Notary is explicitly prohibited from recording a signer’s thumbprint or fingerprint in their journal (Texas Administrative Code Section 87.50[a][3]).

For information about journal entry requirements in other states, please see the article and video, "A Notary's guide to completing journal entries."

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

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.



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16 Comments

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Miylena Inthirath

28 Feb 2023

How do I know if Connecticut require a thumb print for the notary journal? I have tried to google that information and it could not tell me.

National Notary Association

06 Mar 2023

Hello. Connecticut does not have a journal requirement for its Notaries.

Rinat Friedman

06 Mar 2023

Does Washington state require a thumb print for the notary journal? Thanks.

National Notary Association

06 Mar 2023

Hello. No, Washington Notaries are not required to obtain a signer thumbprint for their journal entries.

Jeanne

06 Mar 2023

Does New Jersey require a thumb print for a notary journal? Thank you

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2023

Hello. No, New Jersey does not require Notaries to obtain a signer thumbprint for their journal entries.

Helen Gill

06 Mar 2023

Hello, are Pennsylvania Notaries required to obtain a signer thumbprint for their journal entries?

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2023

Hello. No, PA Notaries are not required to obtain a signer thumbprint for their journal entries.

Marilyn

06 Mar 2023

Does the state of Florida require a thumb print for the notary journal?

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2023

Hello. No, Florida does not have a signer thumbprint requirement for journal entries.

Julie Johnson

06 Mar 2023

Is fingerprinting required in Oklahoma?

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2023

Hello. No, Oklahoma does not require Notaries to obtain a signer thumbprint for their journal entries.

Gloria Tillery

14 Mar 2023

I want to fingerprint people for in Washington, DC, do I need a certificate or a license to do be able to provide this service to my customers who needs fingerprinting for work, schools, etc?

National Notary Association

15 Mar 2023

Hello. Taking fingerprints is not part of a Notary's authorized official duties in the District of Columbia. You would have to find out what the license requirements are to become a fingerprint technician in your jurisdiction.

shelbysanfilippo@gmail.com

20 Mar 2023

I got a letter in the mail, New York notaries are now required to keep journals. Do we also need the fingerprint requirement?

National Notary Association

20 Mar 2023

Hello. No, NY does not require Notaries to obtain a signer thumbprint for journal entries. You can find more information about NY journal requirements at this page: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/news/law-updates/ny-administrative-regulations-2023

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