California Notary Public ExamJournal RequirementsHard
A Notary Public receives a written request from a private citizen for a certified copy of a journal entry. The citizen is requesting a copy of an entry for a deed of trust that they were the grantor on, and they provide the exact date of the notarization. What information, if any, is the Notary Public legally permitted to redact from the certified copy before providing it to the citizen?
- AThe fee charged for the notarization.
- BThe serial number of the identification document used by the grantor.
- CThe name, address, and signature of any other party involved in the same notarization.
- DNo information can be redacted, as the requestor is a party to the document.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The serial number of the identification document used by the grantor.
Even when a party to the document requests a certified copy of their own journal entry, the Notary Public must redact the serial or identifying number of any identification document, as this is confidential information. Other details directly pertaining to the requesting party's entry are generally not redacted.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The fee charged is part of the journal entry and is not subject to redaction in this scenario.
- C. The request is for 'their' entry; redacting other parties from 'their' specific entry is not the primary redaction requirement for the requesting party's own ID info.
- D. Incorrect; certain information, like ID serial numbers, must always be redacted.
Journal Certified Copy Redaction (ID Serial Number)
When providing a certified copy of a journal entry, the Notary Public must always redact the serial or identifying number of any identification document, regardless of who is making the request.
- Applies to all requests for certified copies of journal entries.
- The ID serial number is confidential and must be protected.
- Other information may or may not be redacted depending on the requestor and specific details.
Memory trick: ID serials are always private, even to the owner, so snip it!