Record Journal Retention

Every notary must retain their record journals for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the last entry in the record journal.

Upon the resignation, forfeit, or revocation of a notary commission the notary public must notify the Attorney General within ninety (90) days of the location of the notary record journals. The notary is still required to maintain the notary record journals for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the last entry in the notary record journal.

In the event of the notary’s death or declaration of incompetence, rather a current or former notary, the notary’s representative must deliver all stored record journals to the Attorney General or a repository approved by the Attorney General.

We Go Notary has a program available to you for notary journal storage and to be your personal representative and repository. Should you like additional information on this, please contact us at info@wegonotary.com.

STUDY TIP: Remember the retention requirements

Hawaii Revised Statute section 456-15(c) states that

• A notary public having the care and custody of the journal may cause the same to be photographed, microphotographed, reproduced on film, or copied to an electronic format. Any device or electronic storage system used to copy or reproduce the journal shall accurately reflect all details of the information in the original thereof.

Hawaii Revised Statute section 456-15(d) states that

• A photograph, microphotograph, reproduction on film, or electronic copy of a journal shall be deemed to be an original record for all purposes, including introduction in evidence in all courts or administrative agencies. A transcript, exemplification, facsimile, or certified copy thereof, for all purposes recited in this section, shall be deemed to be a transcript, exemplification, facsimile, or certified copy of the original record.