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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

What should I do if I forgot to obtain a signature in my Notary journal?

By NNA Staff, April 21, 2025

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

I don’t notarize very often, and just noticed in my book that I missed getting a signature for a journal entry in December 2024. The person does not live in our town. What should I do? — S.M., Texas

Fortunately, Texas law does not require you to obtain a signature in your journal. We always recommend that you have the signer affix their signature in your journal, and it appears that you are generally following this best practice. You can consider making a note documenting the circumstances in your journal, but you need not worry about having neglected to follow the law. It will be an important reminder to obtain the signature for all future notarizations you perform.

For guidelines in other states regarding missing Notary journal entry information or errors, please see our article and video on how to correct Notary 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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5 Comments

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Michelle Riesenberg

07 May 2025

That's not necessarily true. I am a notary for the state of Iowa and have been since 2001. When I first became a notary, I ordered a "notary public record book" that was recommended by either NNA or from the State of Iowa Secretary division. My particular journal specifically has fields for the individual to print their name, sign their name, and complete their address. So, it may depend on the state and what the journal book has.in it.

Kelly Dulany

05 May 2025

What about in California? Is it a requirement to get the journal signed?

National Notary Association

07 May 2025

Hello. Yes. In California, the entries in a Notary’s journal for each notarial act must include (GC 8206[a]; NPH): Date, time and type of each official act; Character (type or title) of every document sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged or proved before the Notary; Signature of each person whose signature is notarized, including the signature of any subscribing witness and the mark of a signer; Statement regarding the type of satisfactory evidence relied on to identify the signer; Fee charged for the notarial act or, if no fee was charged, “No Fee” or “0”; If document is a power of attorney, deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or other document affecting real property, the right thumbprint (or any other available print) of the signer.

Shauna

21 Apr 2025

Are the client allowed to fill out the journal information, or just the Notary?

National Notary Association

21 Apr 2025

Hello. Only the Notary should record information in the journal entry.

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