FL S0436

Requires notaries public to maintain a notarial journal recording date, time, type of act, document description, signer's name and address, identity verification method, and witness names when notarizing mortgages, deeds, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and related documents.

Notarial journals must be kept in a locked, secure area under the notary's exclusive control, with electronic journals protected by password or other secure authentication.

Notaries must retain journals for at least 5 years after the last recorded act and must immediately notify the Notary Section of the Governor's office if a journal is lost, stolen, destroyed, compromised, or otherwise inaccessible.

Notaries employed by law firms must maintain a separate journal for firm-related notarial acts that becomes the exclusive property of the law firm and must remain in the firm's custody upon the notary's termination.

Failure to comply with journal requirements constitutes grounds for suspension, nonrenewal, or denial of a notary commission, but does not invalidate otherwise lawful notarizations; exempts law enforcement and correctional officers acting within the scope of employment.