California Notary Public ExamJournal RequirementsHard
A Notary Public receives a written request from a member of the public for a certified copy of a journal entry. The request specifies the month and year of the notarial act. What information, if any, can the Notary Public redact from the certified copy before providing it?
- AThe serial number of the identification card used, if requested, and any other information not required by law to be recorded.
- BNo information can be redacted; the entire entry must be provided.
- CAll information except the type of act, date, and fee.
- DThe signer's address, if recorded, and the serial number of the identification card used.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The signer's address, if recorded, and the serial number of the identification card used.
California Government Code Section 8206(c) allows for redaction of certain sensitive information. While the serial number of the ID is always redactable, a signer's address, if recorded, is also permitted to be redacted because it is not a mandatory journal entry.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While the serial number is redactable, 'any other information not required by law to be recorded' is too vague and potentially misleading, as some optional info might still be relevant to the request. The signer's address is specifically a key redactable optional entry.
- B. This is incorrect; redaction of specific sensitive information is permitted by law.
- C. This is too broad; more information than just act type, date, and fee must be provided.
Journal Entry Redaction
When providing a certified copy of a journal entry, a Notary Public is legally permitted to redact certain sensitive information to protect privacy, provided the request meets specified criteria.
- Redaction is allowed for the serial number of identification cards.
- Redaction is allowed for the signer's address (if recorded).
- The request for a certified copy must contain the month and year of the notarial act, the type of instrument, and the name of the parties.
Memory trick: When copying a journal entry, think of 'ID-Add' for what you can redact: ID serial and Address.