Upon resignation, death, expiration of term, or removal from or abandonment of office, the records of a notary public shall be deposited with which entity?

• A. Governor
• B. Secretary of State
• C. Clerk of the Court
• D. Attorney General

Answer: (D)

Notaries Public are official state officers, and the state keeps a centralized record of all notarial acts. When a notary leaves office—whether by resignation, death, term expiration, removal, or abandonment—the official records kept by the notary, such as the notarial journal and related records of acts performed, must be turned over to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State serves as the custodian of the state’s notary records, ensuring continuity and accountability for past notarial acts. The other offices listed do not serve as the repository for these records: the Governor is the appointing authority, the Clerk of the Court handles court-record matters, and the Attorney General does not maintain notary records.