THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
              OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
             The Notaries Public Division 
 
               
 
 
The March 2026 issue of The Notary Bulletin  
                            
 
 
 
 
      
‶Notary Journal Best Practices – Five Essential Tips″ 
 
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, through the  Notaries Public Division, reminds all 
commissioned Notaries Public of their legal obligation to properly maintain a notary journal in 
accordance with the laws and regulations of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
A notary journal serves as the official and permanent record of all notarial acts performed. In the 
event a notarization is questioned, the journal provides an essential audit trail and may be relied 
upon in legal or administrative proceedings. Failure to properly maintain a journal may expose a 
Notary Public to liability and disciplinary action. 
 
Best Practices for Maintaining Your Notary Journal: 
1) Record every notarial act without exception, including but not limited to the type of notarial act, 
date of document, signer's name, address, signature, notary fee charged, and any other information 
required by law. 
2) Maintain a consistent format for all journal entries to ensure completeness and accuracy.  
3) Secure the notary journal in a locked location when not in use to prevent tampering or 
unauthorized access.  
4) Retain complete journals for the legally mandated period of ten (10) years.  
5) Correct errors properly by making a corrective notation. Erasing, removing pages, or using 
correction fluid is strictly prohibited.  
By diligently following these notary journal best practices, you'll fulfill your legal obligations, 
protect yourself from liability, and uphold the integrity of the notarial process. 
 
Compliance With United States Virgin Islands Notary Laws: 
Notary Journals are required to be permanently bound with chronologically numbered pages, 
which prevents the removal or substitution of pages and provides clear evidence if tampering 
occurs. Proper construction and maintenance of your journal are essential safeguards against legal 
challenges. 
 
NOTARY 
2026-1 
 
 
 
                    
                          
THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
              OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
             The Notaries Public Division 
 
               
 
 
The March 2026 issue of The Notary Bulletin  
 
Confidentiality and sole control of the journal: 
 Maintaining exclusive control over the notary journal is critical to preserving the integrity and 
security of notarial records. The notary journal should be accessible only to the notary, as it 
typically contains sensitive information about notarized transactions, including dates, names of 
parties involved, and details of the notarization process. Ensuring the confidentiality and protection 
of this data from unauthorized access is essential. A notary safeguard is a great idea to protect 
clients' information.   
 
Lost or Stolen Notary Journals: 
Promptly report any lost or stolen notary journals in accordance with United States Virgin Islands 
notary laws and regulations. Failure to report such incidents may jeopardize your notary 
commission, particularly if a past notarial act is later questioned.  
 
Inspection of Notary Journal Records:                                                                                        
A notary journal is considered public record. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will conduct 
inspections of your notary journal as required by law. Upon request, Notaries Public must provide 
access to all journal entries and furnish copies or certified copies when requested.  Failure to 
comply may result in administrative action, including fines or revocation of your notary 
commission. 
 
Notaries are encouraged to regularly monitor email correspondence for important information and 
updates from the Notaries Public Division.  
 
For additional information regarding notary services, visit the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's 
website at ltg.gov.vi, or contact the Notaries Public Division at (340) 774-2991, extension 4120. 
 
Sincerely,  
The Notaries Public Division