Tennessee Notary Journals

Does Tennessee require a notary journal?

Yes. Tennessee requires all paid notarizations to be recorded in a notary journal.

Source: Tennessee Notary Public Handbook.

Records. If a notary charges a fee, the notary must keep a record either in an appropriate electronic form or a well-bound book of each of his or her attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication. T.C.A. § 8-21-1201. A record of fees received should also be kept for income tax records. While no record is required if no fee is charged, it is recommended that every notary keep a record of his or her acts in a well-bound book or electronic file, which should include the following:
1. The date of the acknowledgment, affidavit or other transaction; 2. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized; 3. To whom the instrument is being executed; 4. A description, including the date, of the instrument; 5. Whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature (see definition of “satisfactory evidence,” discussed later); and 6. What fee, if any, was received.