What should be recorded in a notary's journal at the time of notarization?

Recording the date and time of day of the notarial act in a notary's journal is essential for several reasons. This documentation serves as a formal record of when the notarial service was performed, which is crucial for establishing a timeline. It can help resolve any disputes regarding the validity of the notarization or the timing of the signing process. This information provides transparency and accountability, as well as legal protection for both the notary and the signers in the event of later inquiries or challenges.

The other options, while they may have relevance in some contexts, do not hold the same level of importance as documenting the date and time. The notary's commission number is not typically required at the time of notarization; it may be referenced elsewhere but is not a part of the immediate documentation for each act. Payment methods and personal opinions, on the other hand, are not relevant to the formal record-keeping required of a notary and could introduce unnecessary personal bias or financial information into what should remain a neutral official record.