Who here does the finger/thumb print in the notary book? I’m in Washington where it’s not required. I’m just curious how many do and if you do even if it’s not required.
Yes, I do. I’m in California and thumbprint in notary journal is required for all Deeds and POAs. From the 2026 California Notary Public Handbook:
“• If the document to be notarized is a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, or other document
affecting real property or a power of attorney document, the notary public shall require
the party signing the document to place their right thumbprint in the journal. If the right
thumbprint is not available, then the notary public shall have the party use their left
thumb, or any available finger and shall so indicate in the journal. If the party signing the
document is physically unable to provide a thumb or fingerprint, the notary public shall
so indicate in the journal and shall provide an explanation of that physical condition.”
Not required in FL…we can ask them for it but if they refuse we cannot refuse to notarize based on their refusal.
I have never Thumbprinted anyone
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I am in WA I do not do it.
Here’s a tip from a pro. When you can’t find your thumb inker, probably because it’s in the pocket of the last pair of pants you wore, you can swipe the signer’s thumb across your notary stamp. Works, I know , I’ve done it. We’re required to thumbprint signers in the Golden State to prevent fraud, because stealing someone’s property is illegal in these parts. So serious is this requirement that the forgetful notary can be fined up to $2,500 and immediately submit to the public amputation of his or her left thumb.
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Texas specifically prohibits collecting/entering personal biometric identifies in your journal. This means no capturing finger prints in your journal.
Same in AZ
I’ve just started fingerprinting everyone. A number of notaries are doing this.
I’m in CA - I get thumbprints for docs our handbook says are required and those docs it’s not required, I ask for thumbprints…and get them without hesitation from the client.
It’s not required in NV, and there’s not even room for it in my Notary journal.
It is not required in Washington, but the Notary journals I buy do have a space for a fingerprint the Notary, who mentored me always had people fingerprint her journal she said at some point it will come so she just started doing it.
This is a new regulation for Arizona notaries and goes into effect on Sept 12 2026. You can find this information under SB 1479 to begin collecting fingerprints in your journals when notarizing any Deed or recordable document that affects real estate and all Power of Attorney documents. I am in Arizona and actually began taking fingerprints in 2011 after I was called into court as an expert witness to a seller signing. The question was: was the signer the actual owner of the property? While I had his signature in my journal, forensic handwriting analysis was inconclusive as to whether this was a forgery. The property was located in California, and had the documents been signed there, they would have a fingerprint to rule precisely whether the signer was an impersonator or not. This was the first time I became aware of this practice. From that point on, I voluntarily decided to start taking fingerprints. Since that time, I have only had two people object to leaving a print in my journal, and both times I had to proceed with the notarization because it was company policy - not notarial regulation. But after September of this year (2026), if they refuse, I will not be able to proceed with the notarization.