Journal & Record-Keeping
North Carolina requires a journal for electronic and remote notarizations and recommends journaling for paper acts; the Manual stresses accurate records.
Journal for electronic/remote acts
North Carolina requires notaries performing electronic notarizations and remote (RON) notarizations to keep an electronic journal of those acts and, for RON, retain the audio-video recording. For traditional paper acts, keeping a journal is strongly recommended by the Secretary of State as a best practice that protects the notary.
What to record and retention
Journal entries record the date and time, the type of act, the type of document, the principal's name and how identified, and the fee. Electronic/RON journals and recordings must be retained for the period required by rule and kept secure. Good records help the notary respond if an act is later questioned.