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Journal Reference Guide 2 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved The NOTARIES PUBLIC DIVISION Dear Notaries Public, The Office of the Lieutenant Governor remains committed to providing Virgin Islands notaries with the essential resources and knowledge needed to successfully execute their duties. Understanding the importance of a well-informed and skilled notary public workforce, our office has created a comprehensive Journal Reference Guide as a helpful tool for those authorized to provide notarial services throughout the territory. This guide reflects our ongoing dedication to supporting notaries in the Virgin Islands by giving them the vital information and guidance required to perform their roles with confidence and accuracy. The Notaries Public Division aims to empower you to fulfill your responsibilities professionally, safeguard the integrity of all transactions, and ultimately protect the interests of the individuals and organizations you serve. At the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, we take pride in overseeing the notarial system in the Virgin Islands and remain dedicated to equipping our notaries with the tools they need for ongoing success and community betterment. Our notary website (ltg.gov.vi) is accessible around the clock to ensure you always feel supported in using your commission properly. Thank you for your commitment to serving the people of the Virgin Islands as a Notary Public. I wish you all the best in your notarial career. Sincerely, The Notaries Public Division ‶Upholding Integrity in Every Seal″ Journal Reference Guide 3 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS JOURNAL REFERENCE GUIDE What is a Notary Journal? Journal of Notary Acts: A notary journal is a detailed, chronological record of the Notary Public's official acts. A record kept by a public notary that documents all of the official acts they have performed. It includes information such as the date and time, name(s) and address(es) of the parties involved in each transaction, type of document signed, fees collected (if any), and any other relevant details. It contains details of the transaction if a notarized document is lost, altered, or if facts regarding the notarization are challenged in the court of law. Importance of a Notarial Journal A notary journal is an indispensable tool for any professional notary public, serving as a critical record of their official acts and transactions. This journal log, with sequentially numbered pages, provides a comprehensive written account of each notarization performed, documenting key details such as the date, time, names of the parties involved, the type of document notarized, and the method of identification used to verify the signer's identity. The journal acts as an invaluable safeguard, protecting both the notary and the signers by creating a paper trail that can be referenced in the event of any disputes or questions that may arise in the future. Beyond just offering legal protection, the journal also helps notaries stay organized and maintain the integrity of their work, ensuring they follow proper protocols and can quickly retrieve information about past notarizations if needed. With detailed entries chronicling every seal and signature they've witnessed, the notary journal serves as an official logbook that notaries can rely on to demonstrate their diligence and transparency, reinforcing the trust that clients place in their services. A. Legal Protection – A notary journal serves as a legal record that can provide crucial evidence in court regarding a notary's actions. Should a dispute arise over the validity of a signature or the authenticity of a document, the notary journal can verify that the notary properly carried out their official duties. B. Fraud Prevention – Notaries can effectively prevent fraud by maintaining a detailed journal. Recording the identities of signatories and the documents they sign deters those who may try to use false identities or forge signatures. C. Compliance with Regulations - Notaries in the Virgin Islands must maintain a journal as a requirement of their commission. Neglecting this duty can lead to fines or even the loss of a notary's commission. Failure to fulfill this obligation may result in fines or the revocation of the notary’s commission. Journal Reference Guide 4 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved D. Professionalism – Maintaining a detailed notary journal reflects the professionalism and diligence of a notary. This practice demonstrates the notary's commitment to performing their duties with the utmost care and providing exceptional service to clients. The most secure notary journals are well-bound books or booklets with pages that cannot be easily tampered with. These journals should have pages that are firmly bound with glue, stitching, or secure stapling along the spine, and each page should be sequentially numbered. Spiral-bound or loose-leaf notebooks are less desirable options, as their pages can be altered by substituting new pages for the originals. A notary public shall maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts. SAMPLE JOURNAL ENTRY Date & Time Type of Document Notarial Act Name and address Signature Identification Type Fee Notes January 1, 2026 8:00 am Power of Attorney Acknowledgement Jurat Queen Mary 5049 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, VI 00802 Queen Mary Virgin Islands Driver’s License 0000009726 $5.00 or No Fee $ 0.00 If Applicable Fire Burn Queen A B C D E F G H NOTARY’S PUBLIC OATH of OFFICE I ______, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the United States applicable to the Virgin Islands, and the laws and ordinances of the Virgin Islands of the United States, so long as I continue to be a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully discharge, according to the law, the duties of the Office of the Notary Public to the best of my ability and understanding. Journal Reference Guide 5 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved LEDGER OF TRUST: WHY NOTARY JOURNAL MATTERS A Notary Journal is much more than a simple logbook-it is a vital tool that protects notaries, their clients, and the integrity of every notarization performed in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Legal Requirement USVI law requires notaries (other than licensed attorneys) to maintain a journal chronicling all official notarial acts performed under their commission. Liability Protection A complete, contemporaneous journal entry serves as your best defense against false accusations of misconduct, negligence, or professional fraud. Accountability and Transparency Journals document every step of the notarial act, building trust with clients and providing a verifiable record of your ethical service to the community. Evidence in Legal Proceedings In the event of a dispute or investigation, courts and law enforcement rely on your notary journal as primary evidence to verify signatures and identities. Commission Protection Proper record-keeping is non-negotiable. Failure to maintain journals can lead to severe penalties, including fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of your USVI commission. KEEP YOUR JOURNAL PRIVATE Your notary journal is a crucial and confidential record that must always remain in your possession, much like your notarial instruments. It contains sensitive information about individuals for whom you’ve performed notarizations and should never be shared with anyone, including other notaries or your employer. Even if your employer purchased the journal, they have no right to access or retain your notary records. Protecting your journal ensures the privacy of all parties involved and upholds your professional integrity. Journal Reference Guide 6 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved ESSENTIAL JOURNAL ENTRY ELEMENTS A journal is a vital tool that serves as a reliable reference in the event a complaint is filed against you, or you are called to testify to the details of a notarial act. The journal allows a notary to record essential information about each notarial act in real-time, ensuring accuracy and accountability, including. USVI law requires notaries to chronicle all official acts. Every journal entry should include the following mandatory elements to ensure legal compliance and validity. The date and time of the notarial act; The type of notarial act performed; for example, Acknowledgment” or “Jurat” The title or description of the document involved in the transaction; example: POA, Deed of Trust The signature of the person(s) who signed the document; Type of identification: A description of the method used to identify the signer(s) The fee, if any, charged by the notary; or, if no fee was charged, “No Fee” “0” The name and address of the signer and witnesses, if applicable; Any additional information required by USVI regulations Notes: The reasons the notary did not complete or refused to perform a notarial act or additional questions the notary asked the signer, if applicable. IMPORTANT COMPLIANCE NOTICE Each notarial act must have its own separate entry-NEVER use hash marks or ditto marks for multiple documents. If notarizing multiple documents for the same signer, each act requires a distinct and complete entry to remain in accordance with USVI regulatory standards. Journal Reference Guide 7 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved STEP-BY-STEP: COMPLETING A JOURNAL ENTRY CHRONOLOGY Record the date and time before beginning the notarization CLASSIFICATION Identify the type of notarial act being performed SUBJECT MATTER Note documents title and identify details or page counts PARTIES Record the signers’ full name and current address VERIFICATION Verify the identity: the signer must be physically present CREDENTIALS Document the specific identification type presented ENDORSEMENT Have the signer sign your journal to confirm the record ACCOUNTING Record the official fee charged for the notarial service FINALIZATION Complete the notarization on the document with your official seal and signature MANDATORY PRACTICE Always complete your journal entry while the signer is still present. This ensures accuracy and allows you to gather all required information before the meeting concludes. Journal Reference Guide 8 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved BEST PRACTICES FOR ACCURACY MAKE ENTRIES IMMEDIATELY Record all details while the signer is present to ensure total accuracy and capture real-time facts. WRITE LEGIBLY IN PEN Always use permanent blue or black ink. Never use pencil or erasable pens to maintain the integrity of the record. STAY CHRONOLOGICAL Entries must strictly follow date and time order with no gaps or blank lines between them. CORRECT MISTAKES PROPERLY Draw a single line through errors, initial the correction, and write the correct information. Never use white-out. BE SPECIFIC Avoid vague descriptions. Use full document titles, complete legal names, and specific ID serial numbers. ONE ENTRY PER ACT Each individual notarial act requires its own distinct and complete journal entry or legal compliance. USE CONSISTENT FORMAT Follow the same structure for every entry to maintain professionalism and reduce the risk of clerical errors. A Reliable Record of Official Acts Maintaining a notary journal requires consistency, diligence, and attention to detail. This practice not only safeguards you from potential legal challenges but also reinforces your professionalism and integrity as a notary public. A well-maintained journal serves as a reliable record of your official acts, demonstrating accountability and transparency in your notarial duties. Ultimately, the time and effort invested in keeping an accurate journal yield long-term benefits, protecting you legally while strengthening your credibility and reputation. Journal Reference Guide 9 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved PROTECTING CLIENT PRIVACY Notary Privacy Guard Notaries Public should utilize a Notary Privacy Guard® to comply with the strictest security regulations. The private information of their clients, such as physical addresses, signatures, driver's license numbers, etc., must be kept private. Next option: “Decorative File Folders.” DO RECORD Only information specifically required by the USVI notary regulations The type of ID used for verification DO NOT RECORD Social Security numbers Bank account or financial account numbers Credit card information Any biometric or personal identifying information NOT required by USVI law Operational Best Practices ✓ Privacy Protection Use a privacy guard or cover previous entries during signings to prevent unauthorized viewing. ✓ Restricted Access Restrict physical and digital access to authorized individuals only. ✓ Journal Vigilance Never leave your journal open or unattended during or after a transaction. ✓ Public Record Awareness Remember that notary journals may be considered public records; only include what is legally required. Journal Reference Guide 10 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved JOURNAL SECURITY AND CONTROL MAINTAINING EXCLUSIVE CONTROL ▪ Your journal belongs to you as the commissioned notary, even if your employer purchased it. ▪ Never allow anyone else to make entries in your journal. ▪ Keep your journal in your possession at all times during active use. SECURE STORAGE USVI CLIMATE ADVISORY LOST OR STOLEN JOURNALS Report immediately to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. File a formal police report if the journal is stolen. Document the approximate entries that were in the journal. Quick Note: Failure to report a lost or stolen journal can jeopardize your USVI notary commission and legal standing. Consider a fireproof/waterproof safe for storage, critical in hurricane-prone seasons in the USVI. Store in a cool, dry environment. This is critical in the our Virgin Islands tropical climate to prevent mold. Store in a locked cabinet or safe when not in use. Keep away from unauthorized access. Use moisture-resistant and acid-free containers to preserve the physical integrity of journals. Journal Reference Guide 11 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved CHOOSING THE RIGHT JOURNAL FORMAT Recommended: Bound journal with chronologically numbered pages and glossary of procedures. Personal Knowledge Your Journal Still Requires a Wet Signature. Personal knowledge of someone does not require a long-standing relationship; instead, it means you have properly identified the individual at some point using acceptable forms of identification. This verification ensures you know who the signer is, regardless of how long you have known them. Even when relying on personal knowledge as a method of identification, your journal must still include a wet signature to meet legal and record-keeping requirements. PHYSICAL JOURNALS ELECTRONIC JOURNALS Journal Reference Guide 12 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID Official Notary Best Practices & Legal Standards 1. Leaving entries incomplete or blank 2. Recording unnecessary personal information 3. Using unbound or non-compliant journal formats 4. Backdating or predating journal entries 5. Not reporting a lost or stolen journal promptly 6. Using ink stamps without the required embossing 7. Using white-out or erasing mistakes in your journal 8. Allowing unauthorized persons access to your journal 9. Failing to obtain required signer signatures 10. Using ‶ditto marks″ for consecutive acts 11. Disposing of journals before statutory expiry 12. Notarizing without the physical presence of signer Preparing for Journal Inspections Maintain an orderly and current journal to make any audits or inspections easier. Make sure your entries are accurate and thorough by reviewing them frequently. Being ready for your journal inspection shows that you are a professional and dedicated to upholding high standards. Journal Reference Guide 13 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved NOTARY JOURNAL COMPLIANCE CHECK LIST BEFORE EVERY NOTARIZATION ✓ Journal is present and accessible ✓ The embossing seal and blue ink stamp are ready ✓ Previous entries are covered for privacy DURING EVERY NOTARIZATION AFTER EVERY NOTARIZATION ✓ Entry is complete with no blank fields ✓ Journal is securely stored ✓ Embossing seal and Blue ink stamp are applied to the document To ensure your notary journal entries are accurate and in compliance: 1. Enter Entries Immediately: To prevent forgetting important information, make a note of every detail at the time of the notarization. 2. Verify Legibility: Use ink that won't fade over time and write clearly. 3. Use Consistent Formats: To make the journal easier to evaluate, adhere to a set format for each entry. 4. Provide All Necessary Details: Double-check that all required information is included in each entry. ✓ Type of notarial act noted ✓ Signer's name and address ✓ ID type and details documented ✓ Fee charged is noted ✓ Date and time recorded ✓ Document title and description Signer is physically present ✓ Signer has signed the Journal Reference Guide 14 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long should you keep a journal? A notary journal must be retained for a period of Ten (10) years following the performance of the last recorded notarial act. Should every notary keep a journal? Yes. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is mandatory to maintain a record of the notarial acts they perform. It is an essential tool that provides a transcribed record of the official acts of a notary. Moreover, it comprises details related to the transaction if a notarized document is altered, lost, or stolen, or if facts regarding the notarization are disputed in court. When using a journal to record your notarizations, it is a good idea to complete the journal entry prior to notarization? No. You should not enter any details about the notarization into your journal before the signer is present. It is essential to first obtain all necessary identification and information from the signers to ensure that the notarization is valid and recorded properly. Who gives the notary their oath of office? A notary public must take an oath of office that is administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (Secretary of State) in which they intend to practice. Do notaries keep copies of what they notarize? No, notaries are not permitted to keep copies of the documents that they notarize. Copies of important documents should not be kept by a notary, as they likely contain private or sensitive information about the document signers. Notaries can maintain detailed transaction records in their notarial log instead of keeping copies of notarized documents. This enables them to reference the information if needed, without the burden of storing physical copies of the notarized documents. This allows them to reference back on the information, should the need arise, without having to keep copies of notarized documents. Can I notarize for a relative? No, a notary public cannot perform a notarial act for a spouse, domestic partner, parent, guardian, child, or sibling, including in-law, step, or half relatives. What happens for the term of Notary Suspension? Upon the suspension of a notary public’s commission, the notary public shall deposit the notary public’s journal and notarial instruments with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in the judicial Division of the notary public’s residence, for the term of the suspension. Journal Reference Guide 15 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What should I do upon a notary expiration, resignation or revocation? Upon the expiration, resignation, or revocation of a notary public’s commission, the notary public shall deposit the notary public’s journal with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in the judicial division of the notary public’s residence. The Lieutenant Governor shall make an impression of such seal and keep such impression with the records of the notary public. My notary journal is full. What should I do? Since your notary journal is full, you should consider purchasing a new one to continue recording your official notarizations. The notary should label the retired journal with the dates of the first and last notarizations it contains. All archived and active notary journals must be kept secured in a locked area when not in the direct possession of their owners. Can a Notary use ditto marks when recording the same information for multiple journal entries? No, the U.S. Virgin Islands notaries are not allowed to use ditto marks when entering duplicate information. What should you do with your journal when it’s not being used? As a Notary Public, the journal you maintain is an invaluable and highly sensitive document that must be safeguarded at all times. This journal contains a wealth of private information about the individuals who have sought your services, including their names, signatures, and other personal details. In the wrong hands, this information could be exploited for nefarious purposes, such as identity theft or other financial crimes. That is why it is of the utmost importance that you always store your Notary seal and journal in a secure location that is under your sole control when they are not actively in use. Failure to maintain the security of your Notary journal could have serious consequences, both for the individuals whose information is contained within and for your own professional standing. Can I write the journal entry after the notarization is completed and the signer has left? No, all journal entries should be recorded while the signer is present and before finalizing the notarization. Also, if the customer leaves before you complete the notarization, you will be left without the customer’s signature in your journal entry, which is required in by law in the U.S. Virgin Islands Journal Reference Guide 16 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved GLOSSARY TERMS Acknowledgment: An act in which a Notary certifies having positively identified a document signer who personally appeared before the Notary and admitted having signed the document. Document Date: As notaries, it is crucial to carefully document the key details surrounding each notarization in your official journal. One critical piece of information to record is the document date, which may differ from the actual date of notarization. The document date is the date that is printed or written on the document itself, indicating when that document becomes legally effective or enforceable. This date can be in the past, the present, or even the future, depending on the circumstances. Importantly, the document date does not have to align with the notarization date - the two can be completely separate. Embosser Seal: A device that creates a raised impression of a notary’s seal on paper. A press-like device that imprints a raised image into a paper surface to form a Notary seal. Inking Seal: A device that imprints ink on paper to form a photocopiable Notary seal. Journal Entry: Information recorded in a journal describing a particular notarization. Notary Acts, Notarizations: Witnessing duties of a Notary that are specified by law. Most often, the Notary’s duties involve signed documents and require the Notary to ensure a signer’s identity and/or to administer an oath or affirmation. Number of pages in document: The document entry must specify the exact page count, requiring notaries to exercise extreme care to ensure absolute accuracy when using this information. Parties: Identifying the key parties in a legal document is a vital step for notaries in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as it ensures the document’s authenticity and legitimacy. Careful record-keeping of each party involved helps notaries create a reliable paper trail, which is essential for detecting and preventing fraud. If someone attempts to manipulate a notarial certificate by attaching it to an unrelated document, the notary’s detailed journal entries about the original parties provide crucial evidence to uncover the deception and protect the integrity of the notarization process. Personal Appearance: Appearing in person, face to face, in the same room with the Notary at the time of the notarization, not before and not after. Personal Knowledge: Familiarity with an individual resulting from random interactions over a period of time sufficient to eliminate every reasonable doubt that the individual has the identity claimed. Journal Reference Guide 17 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved GLOSSARY TERMS Power of Attorney (POA): A document authorizing a person to act as another’s agent or representative. A legal document giving someone the authority to act on another’s behalf. Document granting authority for a person to act as attorney-in-fact for another. Principal: The person who signs the power of attorney to allow the attorney-in-fact to have certain powers to act on behalf of the principal. Seal of Notary: A Notary seal is an inking or embossing device that imprints the Notary’s name, title (Notary Public), and jurisdiction on a notarized document. Also, it may include such information as the county where the commission and bond are on file, commission number and date of commission expiration. Thumbprint. Notaries public should not take thumbprints unless one of the following conditions is met: (A) the client requests it, (B) state laws require it. Venue/ Jurisdiction: The location where the notarial act takes place, usually stated in the following format at the beginning of the notarial certificate: State of _________ County of ________ Verbal ceremony performed: Carefully noting and affirming that a verbal ceremony was performed is a vital responsibility for notaries public. This practice creates a reliable record of important legal transactions, verifying that all required verbal procedures have taken place. By diligently documenting these proceedings, notaries help ensure the integrity and legality of each transaction, offering protection and clarity for all parties involved. This thorough recordkeeping not only supports the validity of official acts but also upholds trust in the notarial process. Examples: In the case of a property deed, the parties listed would be the grantor - the person or entity transferring ownership of the property - and the grantee - the individual or party receiving the property. For example, a mortgage instrument would specify the mortgagor, who is taking out the loan, and the mortgagee, the lender providing the loan. For example, in a power of attorney, the grantor is the person granting the power of attorney, while the grantee is the attorney-in-fact who is being given that legal authority. Journal Reference Guide 18 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved § 829 Journal, 3 V.I.C. § 829 Virgin Islands Code Annotated Currentness Title 3. Executive, Chapter 29. Notaries Public, Subchapter III. Virgin Islands Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (2022) 3 V.I.C. § 829 § 829 Journal (a) A notary public, other than an individual licensed to practice law in the Virgin Islands, shall maintain a journal in which the notary public chronicles all notarial acts that the notary public performs. The notary public shall retain the journal for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal. (b) A journal may be created on a tangible medium or in an electronic format. A notary public shall maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts, whether those notarial acts are performed regarding tangible or electronic records. If the journal is maintained on a tangible medium, it must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. If the journal is maintained in an electronic format, it must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with the rules of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. (c) An entry in a journal must be made contemporaneously with performance of the notarial act and contain the following information: (1) the date and time of the notarial act; (2) a description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act; (3) the full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed; (4) if identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect; (5) if identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of issuance and expiration of any identification credential; (6) the fee, if any, charged by the notary public; and (7) any other information as the Lieutenant Governor may, by regulation, determine necessary. (d) § 829 Journal, 3 V.I.C. § 829 © 2024 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2 (1) Upon the suspension of a notary public’s commission, the notary public shall deposit the notary public’s journal with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in the judicial division of the notary public’s residence, for the term of the suspension. (2) Upon the expiration, resignation, or revocation of a notary public’s commission, the notary public shall deposit the notary public’s journal with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in the judicial division of the notary public’s residence. The Lieutenant Governor shall make an impression of such seal and keep such impression with the records of the notary public. (e) On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a current or former notary public, the notary public’s personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the notary public’s journal shall deposit the notary public’s journal with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in the judicial division of the notary public’s residence. (f) If a notary public’s journal is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public’s personal representative or guardian shall notify the Office of the Lieutenant Governor promptly on discovering that the journal is lost or stolen. (g) The Lieutenant Governor may inspect the journal of any notary public at any time. Credits -Added Oct. 4, 2022, No. 8542, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 44, 45. 3 V.I.C. § 829, VI ST T. 3 § 829 Statutes current through Act 8813 of the 2023 session of the 35th Legislature, including all code changes through March 25, 2024 Journal Reference Guide 19 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved 3 V.I.C. § 815 § 815 Personal appearance required If a notarial act relates to a statement made in or a signature executed on a record, the individual making the statement or executing the signature shall appear personally before the notarial officer. Credits -Added Oct. 4, 2022, No. 8542, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 33. 3 V.I.C. § 815, VI ST T. 3 § 815 Statutes current through Act 8813 of the 2023 session of the 35th Legislature, including all code changes through March 25, 2024 3 V.I.C. § 816 § 816 Identification of individual (a) A notarial officer has personal knowledge of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the individual is personally known to the officer through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the individual has the identity claimed. (b) A notarial officer has satisfactory evidence of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the officer can identify the individual: (1) by means of: (A) a passport, driver’s license, or government-issued nondriver identification card, which is current or expired not more than one year before performance of the notarial act; or (B) another form of government identification issued to an individual, which is current or expired not more than one year before performance of the notarial act, contains the signature or a photograph of the individual, and is satisfactory to the officer; or (2) by a verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the officer and known to the officer or whom the officer can identify on the basis of a passport, driver’s license, or government-issued nondriver identification card, which is current or expired not more than one year before performance of the notarial act. (c) A notarial officer may require an individual to provide additional information or identification credentials necessary to assure the officer of the identity of the individual. Credits -Added Oct. 4, 2022, No. 8542, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 33, 34. 3 V.I.C. § 816, VI ST T. 3 § 816 § 816 VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE ANNOTATED Copyright © 2024 Office of the Code Revisor, Legislature of the Virgin Islands All rights reserved. Rules Copyright: Copyright 2024 Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., a member of the LexisNexis Group. All rights reserved. End of Document © 2024 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved. No portion of this workbook may be duplicated, saved in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the publisher's prior written consent. Journal Reference Guide 20 | P a g e © 2026 Notaries Public Division. All rights reserved