Texas
No journal required for paper notarizations; required for electronic and RON. 4-year commission.
JournalCalifornia
Strictest requirements in the U.S. — mandatory journal for all acts, thumbprint for real property.
JournalFlorida
No paper journal required; RON journal required with 10-year retention.
JournalNew York
No paper journal required. 2023 law authorized RON with 10-year journal and recording requirement.
JournalIllinois
Notarial Acts Act effective Jan 2024. Electronic and RON journal required.
JournalGeorgia
Journal required for all notarial acts under Georgia Code §45-17-8.
JournalNevada
Journal required for all acts; 7-year retention — one of the strictest in the West.
RONTexas RON
Authorized 2020 under SB 2128. KBA required; 5-year retention for journal and recording.
RONFlorida RON
Authorized 2020 under HB 409. 10-year retention — longest in country.
RONVirginia RON
First state to authorize RON (2011). Extensive track record; widely accepted by lenders.
RONCalifornia RON
Limited authorization — verify current status before accepting remote assignments.
RONOhio RON
Authorized 2019; dedicated portal at notary.ohio.gov. 5-year retention.