How long must a notary public retain their electronic journal after the last remote notarial act?

The requirement for a notary public to retain their electronic journal after the last remote notarial act is set to seven years. This period is established to ensure that there is a proper record of notarial acts that can be accessed in case of disputes or legal inquiries. Keeping the journal for seven years allows adequate time for the discovery of any issues that might arise regarding the notarial acts performed, providing both accountability and transparency in the notarial process. This timeframe aligns with general record-keeping practices across various legal and business environments, providing a balance between retaining necessary documentation and practical management of records.

In contrast, other durations such as five years or ten years might not adequately reflect the legal expectations for record retention, and the option of indefinitely would imply an unnecessary burden of maintaining records far beyond standard legal guidelines.