How must a notary maintain and protect their journal of notarial acts?

A notary must treat their journal of notarial acts as a public record to ensure transparency and accountability in their duties. This means that the notary is responsible for maintaining the journal in a manner that allows for public access and scrutiny, aligning with the legal requirements for notarial records.

By classifying the journal as a public record, it serves as an official documentation of all notarial acts performed, which can be essential for verifying the authenticity of documents and signatures. This protects the integrity of the notarial process and provides a reliable means for resolving disputes or validating the actions taken by the notary.

Maintaining the journal as a public record also emphasizes the notary's role in public service and their obligation to uphold state laws and regulations governing notarial practices. Therefore, proper maintenance and protection of this journal are crucial for the notary's professional responsibility and the trust placed in them by the public.