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District of Columbia notary journal requirements

DC requires a journal of all notarial acts, made at the time of the act. Electronic journals must be tamper-evident and password-protected. US Notary Journal is an electronic notary journal that asks for exactly what District of Columbia expects in each entry.

Journal required?

Required for every act

Electronic journal allowed?

Yes. An electronic journal is allowed when it is tamper-evident.

How long to keep it

No period found in statute. Keeping it at least 10 years is common practice.

Thumbprint

Optional

Source

D.C. Code § 1-1231.18; 17 DCMR § 2422

What a District of Columbia journal entry must include

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

Good to know

• Report a lost or stolen journal to ONCA within 10 business days.

An electronic notary journal for District of Columbia

Choose District of Columbia as your commission state and US Notary Journal sets up the entry form above, warns you about the District of Columbia fee cap where one applies, 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.