California Notary Public ExamJournal RequirementsMedium
A Notary Public resigns their commission. To which entity must the Notary surrender their official journals?
- AThe Notary's employer, if notarizations were performed as part of their employment.
- BA new Notary Public commissioned to take over their duties.
- CThe Secretary of State.
- DThe county clerk of the county where the Notary's current official bond is filed.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The county clerk of the county where the Notary's current official bond is filed.
Upon resignation, a Notary Public must surrender all official journals to the office of the county clerk in which their current official bond is filed. This is the same requirement as for commission expiration, removal from office, or death.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Notary journals are personal property of the Notary Public and are never surrendered to an employer.
- B. Journals are not transferable to other Notaries; they are archived with the county clerk.
- C. The Secretary of State is notified of resignation, but journals are surrendered to the county clerk.
Journal Surrender (Resignation)
Upon resignation of their commission, a California Notary Public must surrender all official journals to the office of the county clerk in which their current official bond is filed within 30 days.
- Applies upon resignation.
- Journals must be surrendered to the county clerk.
- Deadline is 30 days.
- Also applies upon commission expiration, removal from office, or death.
Memory trick: When 'done', journals go to the 'county clerk', where bonds are 'kept'.