What general responsibility does a notary have towards the contents of their journal?

Maintaining custody and control of the notary journal at all times is essential for the integrity of notarial acts. The journal serves as a vital record of all acts performed by the notary and plays a critical role in providing an audit trail for the notary's actions. This responsibility ensures that sensitive information is protected and that the records are available for review by authorized parties, such as legal entities or in case of disputes.

By keeping the journal secure, the notary is also safeguarding the privacy of individuals involved in notarial acts, thereby building trust in the notary's services. This requirement ensures that the notary can adequately fulfill their duty to preserve the authenticity and accuracy of the notarial acts recorded, which is crucial if any questions or legal issues arise regarding those acts in the future.