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California notary journal requirements

California requires one active sequential journal of all acts, kept locked. A right thumbprint is required for deeds and other real-property documents and powers of attorney. US Notary Journal works as your electronic journal for electronic acts and as a secure backup and business record for paper acts.

Journal required?: Required for every act
Electronic journal allowed?: Paper acts must be recorded in a paper journal. Use an electronic journal for electronic acts and as a backup.
How long to keep it: No period found in statute. Keeping it at least 10 years is common practice.
Thumbprint: Required for real-property documents and powers of attorney
Fee cap: California caps the fee at $15 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats. (Gov. Code § 8211)
Source: Gov. Code § 8206

What a California journal entry must include

Date and time of the act
Type of notarial act
Document type or description
Signer name
Signer signature
How identity was proven (ID type)
ID issuing agency
ID number
ID issue and expiration dates
Fee charged
Signer thumbprint

Good to know

California treats the paper sequential journal as the official record for paper documents. Use this app as a backup and for your business records.
Thumbprint exceptions: trustee's deeds from foreclosure and deeds of reconveyance.

An electronic notary journal for California

Choose California as your commission state and US Notary Journal sets up the entry form above, warns you about the California fee cap, and locks each finished entry so it cannot be altered. Use it on your phone at the signing and on your computer at the office.

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Last checked 2026-10-25. General information, not legal advice.