What information is typically recorded for each entry in a notary journal?

A complete journal entry generally records: the date and time of the notarization; the type of notarial act performed (acknowledgment, jurat, etc.); the type or title of the document; the name and address of each signer; the method used to identify the signer (such as the type and details of the ID, or the names of credible witnesses); the fee charged; and the signer's signature in the journal. Some states also require a thumbprint for certain documents. Capturing these details creates a reliable record that can verify the act and protect the notary if questions arise later. Thorough, contemporaneous entries are the goal.