Does it matter what color your notary stamp is?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: August 13, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
Yes, it absolutely matters. Notary stamp ink color laws are strictly governed at the state level. While some states allow any dark, reproducible ink, others are highly restrictive and will reject documents if the wrong color is used.
Can my notary stamp be any color?
The American Association of Notaries (AAN) can accommodate notaries with a choice of ink colors on almost any notary stamp or notary seal available on the AAN website. The choices are black, blue, purple, green, and red.
What color ink is best for a notary stamp?
Black ink is usually the safest choice for legal, professional, and official documents because it offers strong readability and broad acceptance. Blue ink is also popular because it helps distinguish an original document from a photocopy, but some lenders, title companies, or state rules may require black.
What makes a notary stamp invalid?
Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.
Which stamp color is best?
Black and navy-colored ink are standard for professional rubber stamps. Those colors work best for signature stamps, inter-office memos, and plain, straight-forward packaging stamps.
Ink for Your Notary Stamp - Quick Tip Tuesday
Which notary stamp is better?
The best notary stamp depends on your volume and personal preference, but self-inking stamps are the most widely recommended option for convenience and heavy use.
Should a notary be done in blue or black ink?
In some jurisdictions, the use of blue ink on notarized documents may be required by law or regulation. In California, some types of real estate documents, such as deeds and mortgages, must be signed in blue ink to be considered valid. Also, the use of blue ink can help to prevent fraud or forgery.
Does my signature have to match my notary stamp?
Not necessarily. The name you are notarizing is the name as it appears on the document. As the Notary, you must decide whether the ID of “Mary Jane Smith-Jones” adequately proves her identity as “Mary Jones.” The name on the ID is one piece of information that can help you make that determination.
What do notaries get sued for?
You could be sued for using someone else's business name. 4. You notarize your own signature when you act as a witness and a notary on the same document. This can deem the notarization invalid and can cause you to be sued if the document is rejected.
Can I design my own notary stamp?
You can easily customize your notary stamp or embosser online by entering your state, name, and commission details. All orders are backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and most products ship quickly so you can get back to business without delay.
What does a real notary stamp look like?
What Should a Notary Stamp Look Like? A notary stamp should be clear, legible, and contain essential information such as the notary's name, commission expiration date, commission number, and the state where the notary is commissioned. The design may vary, but it commonly features a circular or rectangular shape.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
Common Mistakes:
- Incorrect or Missing Venue Information. ...
- Notary Seal is Not Photographically Reproducible. ...
- Using Correction Fluid. ...
- Incorrect Date on the Notarial Certificate. ...
- Not Printing or Signing Your Name as It Appears on Your Notary Commission.
Why do notaries use blue ink?
The Purpose of Specifying Ink Colors
Differentiate originals from copies: A blue-ink signature makes it easier to spot the original document among black-and-white photocopies.
Do all notary stamps look the same?
Every state has its own requirements for notary stamps. There are minor differences from state to state. For example, some states require a round stamp, while others require a rectangular one.
Can my boyfriend notarize something for me?
A notary public who has a direct or indirect financial (or other beneficial) interest in a document may not notarize such a document. The better practice is not to notarize for a spouse or family member in order to preserve the integrity of the notarization and to prevent a challenge to the notarization.
How much does a $10 000 notary bond cost?
The amount you pay upfront for a $10,000 notary bond is known as the premium. Generally, for those with good credit, this premium could be as low as 1% to 3% of the bond amount. That means, for a $10,000 bond, you might pay between $100 and $300 if your credit is in good shape.
How do I design my stamp?
Designing a custom stamp—whether for business branding, crafting, or official use—involves planning the layout, creating the digital artwork, and sending it to a manufacturer or DIY stamp maker.
Can notary be a side hustle?
Yes, becoming a notary is an excellent, flexible side hustle. It offers the freedom to set your own hours, and you can significantly boost your income by becoming a certified Notary Signing Agent (NSA) to handle real estate and loan documents.
Can a notary stamp be forged?
The Notary risk: Con artists can easily forge your seal
The stamp can be made to look like a true Notary's stamp with that Notary's name and commission number, or the name and commission number could be totally fictitious.
What are the risks of being a notary?
what happens when clients and even non-clients ask to have documents notarized that have nothing to do with the business at hand? Remember that a notary is potentially liable for any of the document signer's losses that can be traced to an improper notarization.
Are there fake notaries?
Many faked notarizations involve someone taking advantage of access to a legitimate notary's commission information, then having a counterfeit stamp or seal made. This information is readily available through important public records…
How should my name appear on my notary stamp?
The name on your notarial seal must be exactly as it appears on your commission (GS 10B-37[b]). If your commission was issued to you with your middle initial, the seal must contain the middle initial. Confronted with a tricky notarization?
How much money do you make on notarize?
How much does a Notarize make? As of May 13, 2026, the average annual pay for a Notarize in the United States is $36,736 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $17.66 an hour. This is the equivalent of $706/week or $3,061/month.
Can a family member be my witness?
Your witness can be anyone over the age of 18 who is not a member of your family by blood, marriage, common-law relationship, adoption or guardianship. This includes your: Immediate family: parent, child, sibling and their spouse or partner.