A signer refuses to sign the notary journal. Can the notary proceed with the notarisation?

Journal signature refusal:

State-specific: Some states (California is the notable example) REQUIRE the signer to sign or place a thumbprint in the notary's journal as part of the notarial act; if the signer refuses, the notary CANNOT complete the notarisation — it would be incomplete; Other states do NOT require signer signatures in journals.

Practical approach: Explain to the signer why the journal is important and required; if they still refuse in a state requiring it, decline to notarise.

Documentation: Note the refusal in the journal.

Reason for requirement: The journal signature creates an additional authentication layer — a signer who later claims they didn't appear before the notary has their signature in the journal directly contradicting that claim.

Thumbprints: California requires thumbprints for real property documents specifically, and for power of attorney documents — this provides biometric evidence of the signer's presence.