What is the difference between a notary seal and a stamp?
Asked by: Sharon Dooley | Last update: April 2, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (7 votes)
notary stamp. 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.
Is a notary stamp and seal the same thing?
Difference between Notary seal and embosser
Some states refer to seals as "stamps" while other states use "seal" to reference an embosser. The primary difference between Notary seals and embossers is their material. Notary seal stamps are inked rubber stamps that are usually rectangular or round in shape.
Are seal and stamp the same?
Stamps and seals have been around for ages, used to mark and authenticate all sorts of things. They may look similar, but they have different purposes and histories. Stamps are usually used for business and legal matters, while seals are more common in art and personal expression.
Can I use a stamp as a seal?
Ink stamps are the most commonly used type of Notary seal. These rubber Notary stamps leave an inked imprint with Notary information, such as the Notary's name, commissioning state or date of commission expiration.
Can a seal be used in place of a stamp?
Company seals are required by law for all legal documents in selected countries, including stock certificates and deeds. When an official seal is not required, a company stamp can be used as a more formal alternative. Both seals are often necessary for businesses, but they have different purposes.
Notary Stamps vs. Notary Seals: What's the Difference?
Should I get an embosser or a stamp?
Notary embossers are the traditional method of notarization, so it is more trusted, widely accepted, and looks more official than stamps. The information included in the design is the same as a notary stamp. However, the impression the embosser makes is not so visible.
Can a notary use an embosser if they do not want to use the ink stamp?
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.
Is a stamp called a seal?
The tool is a stamp. A seal is an official insignia for some group/organization.
Who must obtain a seal or stamp?
In accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6764, each Professional Engineer shall, upon licensure, obtain a seal or stamp.
Does seal mean notarized?
In California your seal only goes with your notarial signature. You do not place your seal on random documents at the request of others to indicate you are a notary.
What is an official seal stamp?
Official stamp or seal means a physical image affixed to a tangible record, or an electronic image attached to or logically associated with an electronic record, containing information required by this act; Sample 1Sample 2.
What is the seal or stamp of approval?
If a person or organization gives something their seal of approval or their stamp of approval, they officially say that they like it or think it is acceptable. Ministers have put their seal of approval on the proposal. Last November the commission gave its stamp of approval to the deal.
What is the difference between a stamp and a seal?
A company seal is usually made of metal and is embossed or imprinted with the company's name or logo. Use: A company stamp is often used for day-to-day business transactions, while a company seal is typically used for more formal and important documents such as contracts or legal agreements.
Can a notary just stamp a document?
If there's general, nondescript text that's found in several pages of the document, the notary can add his or her stamp over this area. With that said, notarial stamps should only be placed on areas of boilerplate content and not sensitive information related to the document's purpose.
What can an official notary seal be used for?
A Notary Public uses a notary seal to create an impression using an inked stamp or a crimping embosser. The notary seal is used to transfer authentication or official recognition by the Notary Public to the document with the Notary's signature.
When to use notary seal vs stamp?
In most cases, both a notary stamp and a notary seal serve the same purpose and can both be accepted. While some states or jurisdictions may have specific requirements on which type of notary seal is applied, they serve the same purpose and contain the same information.
When must a notary destroy their seal?
In California, Notaries must destroy or deface their seals upon resignation, termination or revocation of their commissions. However, California Notaries who are convicted of certain offenses and felonies are required to surrender their seals to the court.
What is the purpose of a stamp seal?
In antiquity the stamp seals were common, largely because they served to authenticate legal documents, such as tax receipts, contracts, wills and decrees.
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 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.
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.
Is an embosser illegal?
Under the law, simply having a card embosser is not illegal. However, falsely making or embossing a credit card, having a falsely made or embossed card, or having or transferring a card knowing it was falsely made or embossed is illegal.
What is the best type of notary stamp?
Self-Inking Stamps
They offer quick and clean impressions. Popular among notaries for their efficiency, these stamps typically last for thousands of impressions before needing a refill.