A California notary public receives a written request from the Secretary of State for certified copies of journal entries related to prior official acts but does not provide the copies. Based on the handbook, which statement best describes the consequence of this conduct?
Any request from the Secretary of State for journal entries must be complied with by the notary.
The handbook states that grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension include failure to furnish the Secretary of State with certified copies of the notary public’s journal when requested to do so, or failure to provide information relating to official acts performed by the notary. This is identified under Government Code section 8214.1.
Failure to provide journal copies can lead to disciplinary action, not just fee-related penalties.
Failure to provide requested journal copies can lead to disciplinary action, regardless of journal status.
Explanation
Failure to furnish the Secretary of State with certified copies of the notary public’s journal when requested, or to provide information relating to official acts performed by the notary, is listed as a ground on which the Secretary of State may refuse appointment or revoke or suspend a commission. The handbook identifies this conduct in the section on grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension, citing Government Code section 8214.1.
— Government Code § 8214.1
Memory Aid
Journal on demand = keep your commission in hand. If you do not provide requested journal copies, your commission is at risk.