Florida Notary Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

After completing a notarization, the notary must ensure that the signature is affixed, as this validates the act of notarization. Additionally, recording the details of the notarization in their journal is essential, as it provides a record of the notary's activities. This journal serves multiple purposes, including maintaining a ledger for accountability and evidence to support the notary's actions if questioned later.

Recording the act in the journal creates a reliable chronology of events and serves as protection for both the notary and the signer. This documentation is crucial for legal purposes, as it can help substantiate the notary's actions and provide evidence of the notarization's legality if a dispute arises.

Providing a copy of the document to the signer or filing the document with local authorities are actions that may be appropriate in some contexts but are not the primary responsibilities of a notary immediately after a notarization. As for destroying related documents, this is contrary to the notary's duty to preserve accurate records. Following proper procedures is essential for maintaining both the integrity of the notarization process and compliance with state laws.