What to do with expired notary?
Asked by: Madonna Rodriguez | Last update: August 13, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)
Your old notary seal cannot simply be thrown away once you have received a new one. Properly disposing of your old notary seal can be done by cutting your seal into pieces before throwing it away. Make sure the impression can never be used on it.
How do I dispose of an expired notary stamp?
- Remove the rubber from the bottom or base of your stamp, being careful to not get ink on your hands.
- Cut the rubber polymer into pieces with scissors to ensure it is properly destroyed.
- Throw the pieces of rubber into the trash.
What happens when a notarized document expires?
An expired seal or commission can render the document legally invalid. In most states, the notary public's commission is for a set amount of time that must be renewed before it expires. It's always important to ensure that the notary public is current before continuing with any notarization.
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 happens if my notary lapses?
What happens if my Notary commission expires before my new one is ready? First, you will not be able to notarize documents until your new commission takes effect. In most states, the renewal process is similar to -- if not the same as -- what it was for your first commission.
Expired Notary Stamp? What should you do?
How to renew an expired notary?
- Complete a 3 hour state-approved California notary training course.
- Register for the California notary exam.
- Pass the California notary exam.
- Submit your fingerprints via Live Scan.
- Receive your commission packet.
- Purchase a California notary bond, stamp, and journal.
Can you back date a notary?
Backdating a document may seem harmless enough, but under no circumstances should a notary public include a date other than the current date of the signing. Backdating is both unethical and, more importantly, illegal. Including a prior date on the document can come back to haunt notaries later down the road.
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.
Is a notary valid without a date?
If there is no date, you can still notarize the signature as you normally would, provided that all other requirements for notarization in your state are met.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
- Steady income can be difficult.
- You could be sued for a lot of money.
- Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.
How long is a notarized document valid in Canada?
In Canada, a notarized document does not expire.
There is no expiration date associated with the notary stamp or seal. As long as the traditional or online notary had a valid commission by the Provincial or Territorial government, your document will remain valid.
How long do notaries keep documents?
However, a common requirement is to retain them for at least ten years after the last entry. This period ensures that records are available for reference in case of future legal inquiries or disputes. For instance, in states like California, notaries must keep their journals for ten years.
What would you be guilty of if your commission expires and you continue to notarize documents?
Section 26-1-160 states that performing notarial acts if your commission has expired is a misdemeanor.
Does an expired notary void a legal document?
If a notary seal has expired, then the document may be rejected. It is important to make sure the seal is valid before leaving. There might also be a situation where the notarial certificate is incomplete.
Can I use my notary stamp on the expiration date?
You will continue to use your current notary stamp, until your commission expires; the date is shown on the stamp. You can use the stamp until – but not after – midnight on the expiration date. Once your current commission expires, destroy the stamp so it can no longer be used.
Can you notarize an old document?
It depends on the type of notarization requested. For an acknowledgment, the document may be previously signed, and the signer must acknowledge to you that he or she signed the document and did so willingly [G.S.10B-3(1)]. However, if you are performing a jurat, the signer must sign the document in your presence.
What to do with old notary stamps?
One or the other. While most states either require you to turn in your seal or destroy it yourself, others may require both under certain circumstances. In California, Notaries must destroy or deface their seals upon resignation, termination or revocation of their commissions.
Can you post date a notarized document?
If you are asked to correct a document, be sure to apply corrections only to existing documents. Please note that some states do not authorize you to correct a notarized document - California specifically states “There are no provisions in the law that allow for the correction of a completed notarial act.
Can a document be legal without a notary?
Many types of written contracts don't require a notary public to be valid. However, if a person's signature has been notarized, generally, courts waive the legal obligation or duty to prove contract authentication. This can save you a lot of time and money.
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.
What is the difference between document date and notary date?
Document dates can indicate the date the document was drafted, or in some cases they may indicate the date the actual loan signing takes place. Either one is different from the date on the Notary certificate, which always indicates when the signer appeared before the Notary and the notarization took place.
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.
Do notarized copies expire?
Notarized documents don't expire, but their validity can be affected by outdated information or an expired notary commission. Keep details current and ensure the notary's seal is clear to avoid issues.
Can you notarize the same document twice?
Yes, it is OK.
Can you back date signatures?
You should never backdate a document that adversely impacts the rights of a third party or violates the law. This is even if there was no intentional ill will. You should also never backdate a contract to memorialize a prior act unless you are absolutely certain the act actually occurred on that specific date.