California Notary Public ExamJournal RequirementsEasy
A California Notary Public's commission is suspended. To which entity must the Notary surrender their official journal(s)?
- AThe superior court that issued the suspension order.
- BThe Secretary of State's office.
- CTheir bonding company.
- DThe county clerk of the county in which the Notary's principal place of business is located.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The Secretary of State's office.
When a Notary Public's commission is suspended or revoked, or when they resign, they must surrender their official journals to the Secretary of State's office.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The court issues the order but is not the repository for the journals.
- C. The bonding company provides financial protection but does not receive surrendered journals.
- D. The county clerk receives journals upon commission expiration, but not suspension.
Journal Surrender (Suspension)
Upon suspension, revocation, or resignation of a California Notary Public commission, the Notary must surrender their official journals to the California Secretary of State.
- Applies to suspension, revocation, or resignation.
- Journals must be delivered to the Secretary of State.
- Failure to surrender can result in penalties.
Memory trick: SOS for your journals when your commission is toast!