How are Mississippi's Laws About Notary Journals Different than Most States?
The Secretary of State is ordered by the law in Mississippi to determine who can be a notary public and what that person can do. One area that they are concerned about is that the notary publics in their state are aware of the importance of the notary journal.
While many states have very strict laws about the stamps and seals that a notary public can use, Mississippi has very strict laws about the journal that must be kept with the Mississippi notary supplies. Many states say that the journal should only be open to law enforcement
agencies, but Mississippi says that Mississippi notary supplies journal must be open to the public upon request.First, the law says that any person has the right to request to look at the journal during regular business hours. The notary public should first, however, make sure that the person has identified themselves. When someone asks to look at Mississippi notary supplies they should sign the journal. The person should only be shown the information that they have a reason to see. The notary must make a judgement call. If they believe that the person wants to see Mississippi notary supplies for criminal reasons, then they should not open the books. Furthermore, if the person requests, then they can make a copy of the pertinent information for the person.
Keeping the Information in Your Notary Journal Safe
When not being used, the notary must safeguard their Mississippi notary supplies.
They cannot be destroyed except by order from the Secretary of State’s office, although they can be surrendered to law enforcement. If the journal is stolen, then the notary public must report the theft to proper law enforcement agencies. If the journal has not been recovered after 10 days, then Mississippi notary supplies theft must be reported to the Secretary of State. When the notary public passes away or decides that they no longer want to be a notary public,
then the journal must be given to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.A great place to get a journal is from Acorn where the same family has operated the business for three generations. You can call them, email them, or use the contact form on their website to find out more about ordering Mississippi notary supplies. All supplies are proudly produced in the United States. Most orders of Mississippi notary supplies ship within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mississippi notary journals required by law?
Yes. Mississippi notaries are required to keep a notary journal for notarizations. The journal is an important recordkeeping tool that helps protect both the signer and the notary by documenting each notarization and providing a reliable audit trail.
What information should be recorded in a Mississippi notary journal?
A Mississippi notary journal should include key details about each notarization, such as the date and time, type of notarial act, document title or description, signer’s name, identification method used, and the signer’s signature if required. Keeping complete and accurate entries helps support compliance and reduce liability.
Who is allowed to inspect a Mississippi notary journal?
Mississippi law allows a person to request to view the journal during regular business hours, but the notary should first verify the requester’s identity. The notary should only show information that the person has a legitimate reason to see and may deny access if they believe the request is for criminal or improper purposes.
How long do Mississippi notaries need to keep their journal?
Mississippi notaries should safeguard their journal for as long as they are commissioned and follow state rules for what happens if the journal is no longer being used. If a notary dies or leaves office, the journal must be turned over to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. If a journal is stolen, it must be reported promptly according to state requirements.
What should I do if my Mississippi notary journal is lost or stolen?
If your journal is stolen, report the theft to the proper law enforcement agency right away. If the journal has not been recovered after 10 days, Mississippi law requires the theft to be reported to the Secretary of State as well. This helps protect against fraud and creates a record of the incident.
Can a Mississippi notary destroy an old journal?
No, a Mississippi notary journal cannot be destroyed unless the Secretary of State orders it. The journal must be preserved because it may be needed later for legal, administrative, or investigative purposes. If the journal is no longer in your possession due to retirement or death, it must be handled according to Mississippi’s recordkeeping rules.
