How long must an online notary maintain their electronic journal?

The correct duration for an online notary to maintain their electronic journal is 10 years. This is in accordance with Ohio law, which mandates that all notaries, including those performing remote notarizations, must keep a record of their notarial acts for a specific period to ensure accountability and transparency. The 10-year retention period helps protect the integrity of the notarial record and provides a reference for any future inquiries or investigations regarding those transactions.

It's important for notaries to be diligent in maintaining this electronic journal because it serves as a vital record of their activities and can be reviewed if questions arise about the authenticity of the notarizations conducted. Additionally, this requirement underscores the importance of record-keeping as part of the notarial duties. Keeping the journal for a defined span rather than indefinitely or for lesser periods emphasizes proper oversight and stewardship of notarial acts.