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Journal

Also called: notary journal, register of notarial acts

The permanent chronological record of every notarial act performed by a notary public. Required under RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. § 319), with specific content and retention requirements set by 4 Pa. Code Chapter 167.

Every notarial act must be recorded contemporaneously in the journal. Required fields include the date, type of act, document title/type, signer’s printed name and address, method of identification, and fee charged. Under the 2026 final rule, Social Security Numbers are prohibited entirely — even partial masking is disallowed. Journals may be paper or electronic, but must be retained for 10 years.

RON session recordings are a separate requirement from the journal, not a substitute.

Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 319 — Journal

See also: personal-appearance, ron

This page is educational information, not legal advice. Pennsylvania notary law changes; always verify against the current version of RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code at pa.gov. Consult a PA-licensed attorney for specific situations.