Do you complete a journal entry before or after completing the notarial act?

• A. After
• B. During
• C. Not required
• D. Before

Answer: (D)

The journal is your official, contemporaneous record of each notarial act. Completing the journal entry before finishing the notarial act ensures all details—date and time, type of act, the signer’s name, a description of the document, identification used, and any witnesses or fees—are captured while the facts are fresh and the signer is present. This creates a clear, auditable trail and helps prevent forgetfulness or later disputes about what was actually done. In Maryland practice, the journal is kept up-to-date as part of performing the act, so finalizing the journal before concluding the act aligns with proper record-keeping. Recording after the fact can compromise accuracy and accountability, while the other options don’t meet the requirement for timely, complete documentation.