Notary Handbook - the Montana Secretary of State Website

Below is a graphic representation of a “Line-style” paper journal. The pages face each other and the information is
written across the gutter. Since the information is contained on two separate pages, and entries are made on both
sides of a page, this type of journal is very tamper-resistant. It is often chosen by notaries who tend to notarize
multiple documents at the same time and those who routinely notarize a high volume of documents signed by the
same person. The use of ditto marks is acceptable for everything but the signature. If multiple documents for the
same signer are recorded at the same time, a diagonal line can be drawn across the spaces and the signer can place
his signature there rather than signing twice. (See the line across lines 3 and 4 in the illustration below.)
This is an example of a “Block-style” journal entry. These journals have a single block for every notarial act,
although in some situations, more than one document signed by the same person may be grouped in one entry. In
the illustration below, there were a group of related documents (for a loan closing) signed by the same person.
These can be grouped into a single record in the notary’s journal.
Electronic journals must contain the same information, although formatting may differ. Complete confidentiality
and privacy are assured with electronic journals.
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