Can a notary stamp the back of a document?
Asked by: Kimberly Bechtelar II | Last update: March 1, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (16 votes)
To further complicate matters, overlapping the notary's signature or other key elements may void the document. So, what should a notary public do if there's enough space on the document for a seal? The easiest solution to this problem is to attach a notary certificate to the back of the document.
Can I notarize the back of a document?
Usually, notarization is completed right below the text that someone is signing off to. A signature can be notarized on the back side of the last page of the double-sided document you describe.
Can a notary place a seal anywhere on the document?
A Notary seal is placed near the Notary's signature on the certificate. Some certificates contain "L.S.," which is the abbreviation of the term Locus Sigilli, which translates to "place of the seal." If you see that term on a certificate, place your seal near "L.S." on the certificate and not over the words.
What makes a notary stamp invalid?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
For example, the seal must include the notary's name, commission number, and expiration date. States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
Notarizing Documents: Frequently Asked Questions!
What if I stamp my notary upside down?
Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.
Can you fold a notarized document?
You can do this by folding or flipping the pages, without removing the staple. When a certified document has been tampered with, the only remedy is to start the entire notarization, county and/or state certification process all over again.
Can a notary notarize without their stamp?
All 50 states require public notaries to place their respective stamp on documents as a means to finalize and authenticate the service. Without this stamp, the document is not legally notarized.
What makes a stamp invalid?
If the stamp was already used to send mail through the USPS®, it cannot be used to mail a different mailpiece even if the stamp was not canceled, or defaced by the Postal Service™ to make a stamp unusable.
Can a notary stamp a document twice?
Yes, it is OK. You may notarize multiple copies of an original document provided that the signer's signature on each copy is an original signature made in pen and ink and your notarization is “original” for each one.
Can I handwrite my notary stamp?
If the content is satisfactory and the certificate wording meets the requirements of your state's laws, a handwritten notarial certificate is acceptable.
What is the difference between a notary stamp and a notary seal?
If you are wondering the difference between a notary seal and a notary stamp, the simple answer is that there is not much difference between the two. Notary stamps are simple to use, and their impressions are clear on document copies, while notary embossing seal embossers have a more official appearance.
Can you notarize a document that has already been signed?
No, notarization rules vary by jurisdiction. Some states, like California, require the notary to witness the signature, whereas others, like Texas, allow acknowledgment of a pre-existing signature.
Where does the notary stamp go?
- Place the printing surface of your stamp flat on the document — not at an angle.
- Hold your stamp with your thumb and fingers — not the palm of your hand.
- Quickly press and release.
Can you notarize a backdated document?
Remember that under no circumstances are you permitted to backdate or otherwise falsify the date a signature is notarized, regardless of whether the document has a separate date on it or not.
What if there is not enough room for a notary stamp?
The notary should draw one line through the existing notary certificate that does not contain adequate space for the notary stamp, place his or her initials on it, and write the words, "see attached." The notary will then proceed to complete the loose certificate just as the original would have been completed.
What is the most famous stamp error?
If a sheet of stamps was fed into the printing press incorrectly, the part of the design that was currently being printed would be printed upside down, resulting in the error. The most stunning examples of this error occur on stamps printed in two colours, with the famous 'Inverted Jenny' perhaps the best-known.
What invalidates a stamp?
Regular stamps without a barcode* are no longer valid for postage. We've added barcodes to all our regular stamps. Regular stamps without a barcode* are no longer valid for postage.
Does it matter how a stamp is placed?
Postage stamps and postage–paid impressions must be applied to the address side of mail in the upper–right corner.
Does a notary stamp make a document legal?
Notarization adds a layer of trust and credibility to the document but does not automatically make it legally binding.
Can a notary change their signature?
No. A notary public may not simply “X” out his or her notary signature and seal on a notarial certificate that contains mistakes. Changes to a notarial certificate must be made only at the time of the execution of the notarization when the principal signer is present.
What is required by a notary of the person signing the notarized document?
Bring Acceptable Identification
The primary duty of a Notary Public is to verify your identity as the document signer. The most common way they determine that you are who you say you are, is by checking state-issued identification documents, like driver's licenses and passports.
Can a notary cross out a date?
Some notaries think that they can cross out an expired date on the seal or stamp and then write in the correct one. This practice can cause the document to get rejected. Always use a current stamp or seal when notarizing a document.
Can a notary stamp be sideways?
Affixing a second Notary seal
If space is tight, you may turn your seal sideways.
Can a notary notarize a piece of paper?
It depends. You may notarize a document that does not have pre-printed notarial wording as long as the signer tells you what type of notarization is needed. You would then attach the appropriate certificate wording.