How do I fix my notary stamp?

Asked by: Ezra Heidenreich  |  Last update: April 20, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (17 votes)

How to fix a bad Notary seal impression
  1. Affixing a second Notary seal. 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. ...
  2. Attaching a separate or loose Notary certificate. ...
  3. Notary seal tip.

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.

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.

How do I correct a notary stamp?

To correct a notary mistake – make new changes in line with the original document. Typically, the signer can line through an error and mark the data of a potential change. In most instances, changes to the document can be about the statement, notary signature, official notary seal, and venue.

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.

What should I do if there is no room for my notary stamp?

35 related questions found

What happens if you notarize something incorrectly?

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.

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.

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 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.

Does a notary stamp need 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.

Does it matter if my notary stamp is upside down?

Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.

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 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.

Where is the cheapest place to get a notary?

Banks, universities, and hospitals often provide free notarization services for their clients or those in need. Q2. How can I get documents notarized at a low cost? Consider low-cost options like the post office, law firms, or online notary services like BlueNotary for affordable rates.

Can a notary notarize two signatures on one document?

If you have a document that requires notarization and needs to be signed by more than one person, you and the other signer(s) can meet with a notary in one of the following ways: In the same meeting on the same device (up to 2 signers) In the same meeting on separate devices.

Can I notarize without my stamp?

You need a seal to make your notarization official. The law says the seal must be photographically reproducible, so most people use a rubber stamp seal. But if you want, you can also use an embosser seal in addition to the rubber stamp.

How long is a notary stamp good for?

Does a notarized document ever expire? The notarization of any document does not expire itself. This means there is no such rule that states that a specific notary stamp expires and will not be acceptable after a certain date.

What color ink should a notary use in Florida?

Section 117.05(3)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that the official notary seal the rubber stamp type seal must be affixed with "photographically reproducible black ink." However, the notary law does not specify a color of ink to be used when signing a notarial certificate.

What states require a 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 point of a notary stamp?

When you see a notary's seal on a document, it means a notary public verified that the transaction authentic and properly executed. Having a document notarized is the same as swearing under oath in a court of law—you are saying that the facts contained in the document are true.

Can a regular letter be notarized?

Can you write a letter and have it notarized? Yes, you can fill out the details of a letter on your own and then contact a public notary to get it notarized. If you're wondering what documents need to be notarized, understand that there is a long list of documents you can notarize in your state.