What if someone uses my notary stamp?
Asked by: Hiram Okuneva | Last update: June 10, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)
In addition to reporting the forgery to law enforcement, you may wish to notify your state Notary regulating authority as well. Be sure to ask for a copy of any reports you file so that you can show that the forgery was committed by someone else using your Notary information.
What happens if someone uses your notary stamp?
Importance of safeguarding your notary stamp.
If a notary stamp is used to commit fraud in your name, then you will have to prove that you did not notarize the document in question. This can be challenging and costly, will always involve hiring an attorney, and could involve giving testimony in court.
What makes a notary 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.
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.
Is it illegal to impersonate a notary?
Generally, states' laws indicate that any person who acts as, or otherwise willfully impersonates, a notary public while not lawfully appointed and commissioned to perform notarial acts is guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony punishable upon conviction by a fine or by imprisonment or both.
What Happens When You Lose Your Notary Stamp
What is a false personation?
Under our law, a person is guilty of False Personation when, after being informed of the consequences of such act, he or she knowingly misrepresents his or her actual name, date of birth or address to a police officer or peace officer with intent to prevent such police officer or peace officer from ascertaining such ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 white out be used on a notarized document?
Never leave blanks in a Notary certificate
Missing information in the notarial wording was listed by county recorders in California as one of the top reasons notarized documents are rejected by recording offices.
How to tell if a notary is real?
To check a notary, contact the issuing state's Notary Public Administrator. They'll confirm if it's legit.
When can I use my notary stamp?
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. Confronted with a tricky notarization?
Who owns the notary stamp?
In California, and most other states, you are legally required to maintain possession of your commission stamp and journals at all times, or leave it under lock and key, available ONLY to you. Even at work or home. Your commission, stamp, journals and any other notary public items are legally yours.
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.
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.
Are there risks to being a notary?
Notaries deal with lots of different paperwork and people, so it's important to always follow the steps of notarization and record important details of each in a journal. Mistakes could result in a lawsuit, and the more intensive a signing is, the greater the chances of making a mistake.
Can a notary be used 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.
How do you void a notary?
To void a notarized document, legal proceedings must be initiated. The affected party typically files a petition or lawsuit.
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.
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.
Does a stamp count as a signature?
Are Signature Stamps Legal? The short answer is; yes, you can generally use signature stamps as a legal authorizing mark. So long as your stamp is intentionally used and validated by you or an authorized representative you appoint, a signature stamp can serve as a legal form of signing. Now, this is generally speaking.
Can I notarize something without a stamp?
No. The notary public must affix his or her notary seal near his or her notary signature within the borders of the notarial certificate.