What is a requirement for tangible notary journals regarding the binding of the cover and pages?

A tangible notary journal must be bound in a way that prevents insertion, removal, or substitution of the cover or pages to ensure the integrity and security of its contents. This requirement is crucial because it helps maintain a permanent record of notarial acts, ensuring that the entries cannot be tampered with or altered after the fact. Binding that allows changes could lead to questions about the authenticity of the records and compromise the reliability of the journal as a legal document.

The purpose behind this requirement is to protect not only the notary's work but also the interests of the parties involved in notarized transactions. An unalterable record upholds the trustworthiness of the notarial process, which is essential in legal and financial matters. Therefore, keeping the journal secure and intact is paramount in fulfilling a notary's duties responsibly.

The other options do not align with the necessary guidelines for notary journals. For instance, allowing the insertion or removal of pages undermines the permanence of the records. Similarly, using paper clips would not provide sufficient security and could easily lead to lost pages. Lastly, pages not being consecutively numbered would also detract from the orderly and systematic tracking of notarial acts, which is an important aspect of maintaining an accurate journal.