Who owns the notary stamp?
Asked by: Hanna Oberbrunner | Last update: July 21, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (47 votes)
The seal and journal belong to the Notary (Usually). Just because an employer paid for your Notary seal and journal doesn't automatically entitle them to keep those tools if you leave the business. In most cases, you keep your Notary tools.
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.
Where does notary stamp go?
The notary public must affix his or her notary seal near his or her notary signature within the borders of the notarial certificate.
Can my employer keep my notary stamp in Florida?
My employer kept my notary seal and commission certificate and refuses to return them to me. I am worried that someone may use my seal and I would be liable. What should I do? Even if your commission, bond, and seal were paid for by your employer, your employer has no right to keep these items.
What is the difference between a notary seal and a stamp?
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.
What Is a Notary Stamp?
Can a document be notarized without a 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.
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.
Who owns a 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.
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.
Can my employer keep my notary stamp?
Your seal and journal belong to you and may only be used by you; they cannot be borrowed or used by a boss or coworkers. If you're out sick, for example, your boss cannot have another employee use your seal to start stamping documents.
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.
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 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.
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.
What can I do with old notary stamps?
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.
Does a notary stamp count as a signature?
Yes. The notary statutes in most states dictate that the notary public sign and affix a notary seal to the certificate at the time of the execution of the notarization.
Can a notary notarize without their stamp?
So, the lack of a stamped notary seal in a signed notarial certificate doesn't automatically invalidate a notarization. It all depends on the notary's state requirements and permissions.
Does it matter if a notary stamp is upside down?
Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.
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.
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.
Do banks do notary stamps?
Does Every Bank Offer Notary Services? Banks are not required to offer notary services, but most do have notaries available in at least one of their branches, if they are part of a chain. You may have to schedule time for an appointment with a notary.
Does a notary have the right to refuse a notarization?
Yes. However, the notary laws in most states dictate that notaries may not refuse to provide notarial services during business hours unless there is good basis to decline the notarization.
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 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.
Does it matter how a stamp is placed?
Postage stamps and postage–paid impressions must be applied to the address side of mail in the upper–right corner.