Can I use my notary stamp on the expiration date?
Asked by: Josiane Lind | Last update: December 1, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (35 votes)
You will continue to use your current notary stamp, until your commission expires; the date is shown on the stamp. You can use the stamp until – but not after – midnight on the expiration date. Once your current commission expires, destroy the stamp so it can no longer be used.
Can you use your notary stamp on the day it expires?
You should continue to use the old stamp as long as your current commission term is still in force. Once that commission expires and the new commission is effective, you can use your new stamp.
What makes a notarized document invalid?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
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.
How long is a notarized stamp good for?
In summary, notarized documents do not expire and remain valid indefinitely unless there are specific laws or regulations that require them to be updated or renewed. It is important to understand your local laws in order to ensure that all documents remain up-to-date and legally binding.
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.
Expired Notary Stamp? What should you do?
What is the difference between document date and notary date?
Document dates can indicate the date the document was drafted, or in some cases they may indicate the date the actual loan signing takes place. Either one is different from the date on the Notary certificate, which always indicates when the signer appeared before the Notary and the notarization took place.
Is it okay if the notary stamp is upside down?
Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.
Can a stamp expire?
The USPS does not exchange stamps solely because of new postage prices. As mentioned above, postal stamps do not expire and can be used indefinitely. In the event of a price increase, customers can purchase Denomination Stamps to make up the price for postage or use Forever Stamps.
Can you back date a notary stamp?
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 to do with old notary stamps?
One or the other. While most states either require you to turn in your seal or destroy it yourself, others may require both under certain circumstances. In California, Notaries must destroy or deface their seals upon resignation, termination or revocation of their commissions.
Can you notarize a signature without the person present?
To notarize a document, the signers must be present at the time of notarization. While you can notarize an acknowledgment document that has been previously signed in some cases, the signer must still be present at the time of notarization to confirm the validity of their signature.
What happens if you do a notary wrong?
What happens if a notary makes a mistake? The National Notary Association suggests that even the smallest mistake could have dire consequences. The notarized document could get rejected. A mistake that results in a rejection can result in late fees and penalties on the part of the client.
How do you fix a bad notary stamp?
If your Notary seal should get smudged, be administered too lightly, or come out unevenly inked, affix a second seal near, but not over, the first one. Make sure it is readable and able to be photocopied. In doing so, make sure not to cover or obscure any other text or images on the document.
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 a notary use a stamp instead of a signature?
If you are a notary who notarizes multiple documents a day, using a signature stamp can be a tempting way to avoid hand cramping and carpal tunnel. However, laws that regulate the acts of notaries are often very strict. This includes using a facsimile signature stamp in lieu of a handwritten or wet signature.
Can a notary use an expired stamp?
An expired notary seal will also result in the rejection of a notarized document. In other cases, a notary stamp impression that is too light or dark, smudged and incomplete may also result in rejection or invalidation of the notarization act.
Can you notarize a document with a future date?
Can I notarize a document with a future date? No. The execution of a notarial certificate must always contain the actual date of the notarization. The notarial certificate must never be postdated or predated to accommodate the signer or anyone else.
Can I notarize on the day my commission expires?
It's important for notaries to keep track of when their commission expires. If they perform a notarization after their commission has expired, it could invalidate the notarization and any documents notarized with an expired commission may not be considered legally binding.
What is the last date you can use old stamps?
Stamps themselves don't have an expiration date, so that book of Winter Olympics commemorative postage you bought back in 2010 is still technically good. In fact, you can use some pretty old stamps if you wanted to.
How do I know if a stamp is still valid?
Regular stamps without a barcode* are no longer valid for postage. This follows the introduction of a 6 month grace period from the initial 31 January 2023 deadline. Swap them for the new barcoded ones. The stamps that have changed are the stamps (pictured below) that will be very familiar to you.
What happens if I use an old stamp?
Old stamps will be treated as having "insufficient postage", much the same as if you forgot to put a stamp on the item. The recipient will have to pay an extra fee or the item will be returned to the sender.
What makes a stamp invalid?
Most stamps are coated with a substance that may be detected by cancellation machines which verify that postage is affixed. These machines reject letters on which a stamp cannot be detected. If the stamp affixed is torn, the cancellation machine may not be able to detect its presence.
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.
How often do notaries make mistakes?
Notary mistakes and errors increase the number of rejected documents. Most rejected documents contain minor or major notarization mistakes. On average, 30% of notarized documents contain mistakes. But depending on your county and state, this rejection rate can vary.