Filling out your journal
At a signing, make sure there is a SEPARATE journal entry for each signature in each document. If two people are each signing three notarized documents, that is six total journal entries. The signer needs to sign each journal entry that is applicable to him/her.
Thumbprints
Getting thumbprints in your journal is recommeneded for any Deed affecting real property or power of attorney and is required in California. Getting thumbprints for other documents keeps everyone honest too which is important these days.
Document the signer's ID
Make sure the signer's name, address, and ID type, serial #, and expiration date is documented in your journal.
Other journal information
The date, time of the notarization.
Document date (if any) and type.
Type of notarization, i.e. acknolwedgmnet or jurat
Additional notes - indicate anything unusual about the signers or surroundings. Also, document credible witnesses in this section.