The Notary Journal and Thumbprint Requirement

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By the notaries at Mar Vista Cheap Mobile Notary, commissioned by the California Secretary of State · Updated October 26, 2026 · Sources: California Notary Public Handbook (Secretary of State, 2026), Government Code § 8206, Government Code § 8206.5, Government Code § 8209, Government Code § 8214.23

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What goes in the journal

• Date, time and type of each notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat, etc.)
• The type of document (for example, “grant deed” or “durable power of attorney”)
• The signature of each person whose signature is notarized
• How identity was established, with the ID type, issuing agency, ID number and issue or expiration date (or credible witnesses’ signatures and ID details)
• The fee charged, with any travel fee listed separately
• A thumbprint, for real property documents and powers of attorney

Why a thumbprint, and which documents need one

Deed fraud and power-of-attorney abuse are among the most damaging forms of fraud: one forged signature can transfer a house or empty a bank account. A thumbprint in the notary’s journal is powerful evidence of who actually appeared, and it deters impostors. California requires it for:

• Grant deeds, quitclaim deeds and interspousal transfer deeds
• Deeds of trust and other loan documents affecting real property
• Any other document affecting real property (for example, some easements and lease memoranda)
• Powers of attorney of any kind

The right thumb is standard. If it isn’t available, the notary uses the left thumb or any available finger and notes it; if the signer physically can’t provide any print, the notary explains the condition in the journal. The requirement doesn’t apply to a trustee’s deed from a foreclosure or a deed of reconveyance. A notary who fails to take a required thumbprint faces a civil penalty of up to $2,500.

Who can see your journal entry

The journal is the notary’s exclusive property and must be kept in a locked, secured place under their direct control. It can’t be surrendered to an employer. A notary must allow access in only a few situations:

• A member of the public who sends a written request with the names of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year it was notarized gets a photocopy of that one line item (or a statement that none exists), for no more than $0.30 per page, within 15 business days.
• A peace officer investigating a crime who has reasonable suspicion that the journal contains evidence.
• A court, through a subpoena or court order.
• The Secretary of State, which can request certified copies.

When a notary’s commission ends, journals go to the county clerk where their oath was filed, within 30 days.

If you’re worried about privacy

It’s reasonable to ask. Your thumbprint and ID details stay in a paper journal that is locked and in the notary’s exclusive control, and they aren’t entered into any database. A copy request from the public returns only the specific line item asked for, and the requester must already know the parties, document type and date. Refusing the thumbprint when the law requires it means the notary can’t proceed.

Common questions

Do I have to give a thumbprint to get something notarized in California?

Only for deeds, deeds of trust, other documents affecting real property, and powers of attorney. For most other documents, no thumbprint is required.

Can I get a copy of a notary journal entry?

Yes. Send the notary a written request with the parties’ names, the document type, and the month and year of the notarization. They must respond within 15 business days, for no more than $0.30 per page.

What if the signer has no thumbs or can’t be printed?

The notary uses another finger and notes it. If no print is physically possible, the notary records the reason in the journal.

Does the thumbprint go on my document?

No. It goes only in the notary’s journal.