New York State Notary Practice Exam 2025 - Free Notary Practice Questions and Study Guide

A notary public must maintain accurate records in their journal, as it serves as an official record of the notarial acts performed. When an error is identified, it is essential to correct it in a manner that preserves the integrity of the journal. The correct procedure involves drawing a line through the incorrect information and adding the correct entry next to it.

This method allows for clarity regarding what was originally written while providing an accurate account of the notarial act. It prevents confusion or misinterpretation of the records. Important information, such as the date, type of notarial act, or other necessary details, should be easily accessible and understandable.

Simply crossing out the error without a clear method for organization can lead to ambiguity, and not making any corrections at all would compromise the accuracy of the journal. Adding a note without initialing it might not adequately convey that an error was corrected and could lead to questions about the legitimacy of the changes. Therefore, drawing a line through the error and properly documenting the correct information upholds the standards expected of notarial records while ensuring transparency in the correction process.