What must a notary do upon resignation or expiration of their commission?

Upon resignation or expiration of their commission, a notary is required to deliver their journal to the Attorney General. This requirement is in place to ensure that all notary records are preserved and accessible for legal purposes. The Attorney General is responsible for maintaining these records, which include vital information about the notarizations performed by the notary.

This process safeguards the integrity of notarial acts and helps protect the public by ensuring that all documentation is properly archived. It allows for accountability and helps to maintain a standard for notarial practices within the jurisdiction.

While keeping the journal indefinitely may sound reasonable for record-keeping purposes, it is not the correct procedure as notaries no longer have a legal right to their journal once their commission ends. Destroying the official seal is also not mandated; the seal should be retained as part of the notary's records until directed otherwise. Transferring records to another notary is not a standard procedure either, as notarial records must be submitted to the Attorney General to consolidate and preserve them properly.