Idaho Notary Journal
Requirements
Idaho does not require a journal for traditional or RON notarizations — but strongly recommends one. For RON, the A/V recording is mandatory; the electronic journal is optional. NotaryAct is state-configured for Idaho — best-practice journal for all acts, full RON documentation support including A/V session tracking.
| ⚖️ Idaho Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Idaho Code Title 51, Chapter 1 (RULONA) · Idaho Admin. Code |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · SOS strongly recommends as best practice |
| RON Electronic Journal | Optional per administrative rule — notary may elect to maintain one or more |
| RON A/V Recording | Mandatory for every RON session ✓ |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct ID configuration |
| RON Authorization | Mandatory RON training + notarized RON form + $20 fee + SOS-approved platform ✓ |
| Electronic Notarization | Requires SOS notification before first act · SOSbiz account required |
| Max Traditional Fee | $5 per notarial act |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 surety bond · Issued within 90 days prior to application · Must be signed by applicant |
| Commission Term | 4 years · $30 application fee · No exam required for traditional commission |
Idaho’s Journal Framework
Idaho adopted RULONA and does not mandate a journal for either traditional or RON notarizations. The SOS FAQ explicitly states: “A notary journal is not legally required, but it is strongly recommended, and is a notary best-practice.” Administrative rules effective March 20, 2020 allow RON notaries to elect to maintain electronic journals — making it optional even for remote acts. The mandatory RON recordkeeping requirement is the audio-visual recording, not the journal.
This creates a practical compliance question for Idaho RON notaries: while the journal is optional, it provides the only structured, searchable record of what occurred in each session beyond the A/V file. NotaryAct’s Idaho configuration provides both.
Best-Practice Journal Entry Fields for Idaho
These are the SOS-recommended fields for all Idaho notarizations. NotaryAct’s Idaho configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, oath, signature witnessing, copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown covers all Idaho-authorized types. |
| 3 | Document description — Title or type of document. |
| 4 | Signer’s name and address — Auto-filled by barcode scan from any Idaho driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification method — Personal knowledge, ID type/details, or credible witness. NotaryAct supports all three. IDs must be current or expired no more than 3 years (IC 51-107). |
| + | Signer’s signature · Fee charged — Electronic signature capture and fee field in NotaryAct. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Idaho: Complete best-practice journal for all notarizations. Optional RON electronic journal enabled. A/V session tracking fields available. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Utah · Montana · Washington · Oregon · All 50 States →
Idaho Notaries — Best-Practice Protected, RON Ready.
NotaryAct’s Idaho configuration provides a comprehensive best-practice journal for all notarizations and full RON session documentation support — because the A/V recording alone isn’t a searchable journal.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Idaho Code Title 51, Chapter 1 and Idaho Administrative Code as in effect June 2026. Consult the Idaho Secretary of State Notary Division at sos.idaho.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
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