Notary Public Underwriters Blog
Missouri Notaries: How to Handle Corrections in Your Notary Journal (Record Book)
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- Published: September 22, 2025
Missouri notaries often ask whether they can correct or update a past entry in their notary journal. The answer depends on the type of journal you're using.
- If you're using an electronic record book/journal, you may not make changes to any completed entry after the notarization is done.
- If you're using a tangible (paper), bound record book/journal, you can note a correction—but only under specific conditions.
When Can You Add a Correction to a Tangible (Paper) Journal?
Missouri law allows a notary to correct an error made in a paper document’s notarial certificate, and requires that the notary append (add), to the document’s corresponding record book entry, a notation regarding the nature and date of that notarial certificate correction.
How to Do It:
- Correct the notarial certificate on the original paper document.
- Add (only) a notation to the existing journal entry for notarization of that paper document. This notation must describe the nature and date of the notarial certificate correction. Depending on the record book entry’s format, this notation could be made in the “Comments” section of the existing entry or in any other unused space right next to that entry.
Important Reminder
If you’re asked to present your journal record for that notarization, provide a copy of the original journal entry with the correction note included. Following this process ensures your records are accurate and compliant with Missouri notary law. If you're looking for a record book that makes tracking this kind of information easy, Notary Public Underwriters can help. Visit our Supplies page to view our record book options.
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