What ink is used for legal documents?
Asked by: Prof. Ilene Flatley | Last update: June 1, 2026Score: 5/5 (26 votes)
For legal documents, blue or black ink is standard, with blue often preferred for signatures to easily distinguish originals from copies, while black offers formality and clarity for scanning, but always check the document's instructions as some, like NY notaries, might mandate black. The key is using "document-safe" or "document-proof" ink (ISO 12757-2 standard) that's permanent, waterproof, and tamper-resistant, preventing alteration.
What ink for legal documents?
For these reasons, blue ink is best (and sincerely appreciated) by legal professionals far and wide. Notarizing: Although there is no law about which ink color should be used to notarize documents (in fact, a law requiring that notary public signatures be in black was repealed in 20131) most notaries prefer blue ink.
What ink is used for official documents?
Stick to Using Black Ink for Legal and Official Documents
Black ink is still the best pen for signature on most legal documents. Despite blue ink's popularity, most professional documents and forms require us to use black ink. If you're applying for a new job, for instance, you may have to use a black ink pen.
Is it better to use blue or black pen for legal documents?
Traditionally, black ink has been the dominant choice for official documents, as it scans and photocopies clearly and projects authority. However, blue ink is also widely accepted in legal and administrative contexts because it provides an easy visual distinction between an original and a copy.
What is more professional, blue or black ink?
For legal documents or instances where authenticity is paramount, blue ink is preferred. In contrast, black ink is favored for its formality and readability, making it ideal for business correspondence and documents intended for public dissemination.
What Color Ink For Legal Documents? - CountyOffice.org
Why do notaries use blue ink?
However, many institutions prefer blue ink for administrative clarity. It helps clerks, lawyers, and auditors confirm the presence of an original signature during reviews or audits. Government agencies, law offices, and notaries often request blue ink to distinguish original submissions from photocopies.
What is the best pen for signing legal documents?
Ballpoint Pens: These pens use a thick, oil-based ink that dries quickly and doesn't smudge. They are known for their reliability, making them a popular choice for official documents. 2. Rollerball Pens: Rollerball pens use water-based ink that flows more smoothly, resulting in a wetter signature.
What color ink do notaries use?
When notarizing paper documents, the stamp must be applied in permanent ink and be capable of being photocopied (NMAC 12.9. 3.12. A[1]). Best practice is to use blue or black ink.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to require the signer to appear personally, which violates law and leads to fraud claims; other frequent errors include incomplete or incorrect certificates (wrong dates, missing venue, illegible seals, incorrect wording, or misaligned signatures/names) and failing to properly verify signer identity. These errors can invalidate documents and lead to legal penalties, making adherence to strict procedures crucial.
Why is blue ink not legal?
While blue ink might reduce the risk of mistaking a copy for an original, it's not a legal requirement. Deeds: Recording a deed often necessitates an original document, emphasizing the importance of clear and authentic signatures.
Do doctors write in blue or black ink?
Black ink is the best choice because it is easy to read, scans well, and most people accept it in hospitals and legal settings. Blue ink can help distinguish original documents from copies, but not all healthcare facilities allow it.
Is it professional to use blue ink?
Blue Pen – The Professional Standard
Blue ink is the staple of corporate communication. It conveys a sense of professionalism and reliability. Blue pens are often used to differentiate original documents from photocopies, as black ink can sometimes appear indistinguishable from copies.
Does a will need to be signed in black ink?
All signatures should be written clearly and we suggest using black ink. Aside from signing your Will, your witnesses will also have to provide their full name, address and occupation. Your witnesses do not have to read the Will or know what's in it but they should be confident that you do!
What does purple ink mean?
Purple ink is often associated with poetic writing and literature. Historically, purple-colored ink was used to indicate power and sacred knowledge (royalty and religious orders).
Is a green pen legal?
You shouldn't just use the first pen that you find when it comes to signing professional or legal documents. It's vital that you consider professional colors when it comes to filling out any professional forms. You don't want to use red or purple or green. To be safe, you are better off using blue or black ink.
What color pen is good documentation practices?
Using indelible ink: All records must be filled out in indelible BLACK or BLUE ballpoint pen for long-term legibility. Do not use pencil or ink that can be erased.
What makes a document invalid?
These actions could include: unauthorized destruction of Will or Trust; concealment of a Will or Trust; forging a signature; forging all or part of a document; or altering or falsifying a document to make it appear the document was signed on a different date than is true.
Why do notaries get sued?
If you are notarizing using a Jurat, a verbal oath is required, and the signer must verbally attest to the truthfulness of the documents, and attest that they are signing of their own free will. You can be fined and can lose your commission. This is the number one reason notaries are in court.
What invalidates a notarized document?
A notarized document can be invalidated by fundamental flaws like improper identification, lack of signer presence, blank spaces, missing signatures, or an expired notary commission, as well as fraudulent acts, unauthorized alterations, backdating, or the notary acting with a conflict of interest, all undermining the document's authenticity and the integrity of the notarization process.
Can I notarize with black ink?
There is no requirement that the Notary's signature must be in a particular color. In July 2013, a law that required a Notary Public to only sign in black ink was repealed.
What does Blue Notary do?
BlueNotary is a premium online notarization software as a service. Signers can use their mobile phones to complete notarizations in a matter of minutes from anywhere in the world.
Does a notary need a color printer?
So the cool thing about working as a mobile notary and loan signing agent in particular, is that just about everything that you're going to be printing is going to be black and white only. So you don't need a color printer. All your documents are always going to be single sided.
What pen doesn t run out of ink?
The Infinium Space Pen will write so long, in fact, that the average user won't run out of ink in their lifetime – and that is guaranteed! If your Infinium should ever run dry of ink, just send it back to us for a fully refilled replacement at no charge.
Which pen is top 1 in the world?
There's no single "No. 1 pen," as it depends on what you value (luxury, sales, everyday use, tech), but Montblanc Meisterstück is often cited for luxury/status. For massive sales, the BIC Cristal is unparalleled (100 billion sold). For everyday writing, the Uni-Ball Jetstream is a favorite. For tech, the Nuwa Pen digitizes notes.
Are zebra pens good?
Yes, Zebra pens are generally considered good, praised for their sturdy metal bodies (like the F-301/F-402), smooth-writing gel ink (Sarasa line), and innovative designs (Blen series) that reduce wobble, making them reliable everyday pens for many, though some find standard ballpoints less impressive than their gel counterparts.