Do notary stamps have to be raised?
Asked by: Letitia Hauck | Last update: January 9, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)
Notary seal stamp requirements While states require rubber-inked stamps as the official Notary tool, some states still require a raised embossed seal. In those cases, embossers are commonly used in conjunction with the inked rubber stamp.
Is it okay if my notary stamp is upside down?
Orientation of the seal does not matter. A round one especially. You may need to emboss with carbon paper or rub it with an ink pad afterward to meet the requirement to be reproducible electronically. I have seen embosses oriented for side sealing instead of sealing from the bottom tho.
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 states require an embossed notary seal?
So, which states actually require an embossed notary seal? As of June 2024, only Colorado and Idaho have this as a firm requirement across the board for all notarizations. A few other states, like California and Illinois, give notaries public the option to choose between an embossed seal or a rubber notary stamp.
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.
New Notary Series: All About Notary Stamps
Is a notarized document legal without the stamp?
Stamps are unique to each notary, containing the public notary's name, date, state and county of commission, commission number, and expiration date. Without this stamp in place, the document won't hold up under a court of law if challenged, which is why it's crucial to include it on every notarized document.
Which of the following offenses cancels a notary application?
The examples include but are not limited to: assault, arson, auto theft, burglary, possession or sale of illegal drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, failure to pay child support or failure to comply with a court order.
Does a notary seal have to be raised?
Notary seal stamp requirements
While states require rubber-inked stamps as the official Notary tool, some states still require a raised embossed seal. In those cases, embossers are commonly used in conjunction with the inked rubber stamp.
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.
What is the difference between an embosser and a stamp?
Instead of leaving an ink imprint, a Notary embosser “crimps” a document, creating a raised physical impression displaying Notary information on the paper. While visible to the naked eye, the impression made by an embosser won't be visible on a photocopy unless ink or another method like colored foil is added.
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.
How can a stamp be invalid?
Regular stamps without a barcode* are no longer valid for postage. We've added barcodes to all our regular stamps.
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 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.
Can stamps be placed vertically?
Other than that the stamp should be on the upper right corner of the envelope, it doesn't matter how the stamp is oriented on the envelope.
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 you notarize a document without a stamp?
Can you notarize without a stamp? All 50 US states require a public notary to place their respective stamps on documents or contracts to finalize as well as authenticate the service.
When to use a notary embosser?
Do not place an impression of the seal on every page of a document or fan the pages of the document and place an impression of the seal across all pages. California notaries may use an embosser as long as the impression is photographically reproduceable.
Does a notary stamp count as a signature?
Yes. The notary statutes in most states dictate that the notary public sign and affix a notary seal to the certificate at the time of the execution of the notarization.
How do you know if a notary is real?
To check a notary, contact the issuing state's Notary Public Administrator. They'll confirm if it's legit.
How to make a notary seal visible?
The Solution: If a notary uses a metal embosser as her official seal, she should carefully darken the very top of the raised embossment so that the seal will be visible on a photocopy of the document. Fortunately, there is the seal impression inker. It is a round ink pad with a tab on the back.
Does a notarized document stand up in court?
Though they enhance a document's validity, notarization alone doesn't ensure admissibility in court. Courts consider the document's relevance, authenticity, and compliance with specific legal standards during proceedings.
Why would a notary be denied?
These may include: The signer is not physically present (unless the Notary is performing a remote online notarization) The signer cannot be properly identified. The signer does not speak the same language as the Notary.
Can notaries swear people in?
2093. (a) Every court, every judge, or clerk of any court, every justice, and every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has the power to administer oaths or affirmations.
What if a notary makes a mistake?
A mistake can trigger an immediate rejection and result in penalties and additional fees. In most severe cases, the notary public becomes highly vulnerable to civil litigation. Mostly, notaries are aware that there are many moving pieces in a notarization process.