I just noticed my commission packet arrived today and it says a journal is recommended but not required — why do we do it that way when everyone says to record every notarization? If you’re in a no-journal state, do you still log basics like ID type and fee, and has that ever helped you in a dispute?
Optional state here — I still log ‘ID type and fee’ plus signer signature/thumbprint 
… Settled one denial cleanly.
I treat a journal as “cheap insurance” even where it’s optional — log ID type/expiration, fee, doc title, and get the signer’s signature; it’s a dashcam for your stamp and helped me shut down a complaint quickly. Small caveat: thumbprints are state-specific, so double-check your SOS before collecting them, @silver.runner.
I’m in a no-journal state and still keep one — it’s a seatbelt you barely notice until you need it. My concrete step: record date/time, venue, document name, signer signature, and how you verified identity; it saved me once when a bank questioned a POA, and this “if it’s not written, it didn’t happen” mindset kept the call short. If you truly skip it, at least keep detailed appointment and payment records; do any of your clients or your E&O carrier ask for entries?