Whose name goes on the notary stamp?
Asked by: Jadyn Labadie | Last update: January 9, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (31 votes)
According to Government Code 406.016(b), a Notary must sign their name exactly as it appears on the Notary commission. Your official Notary seal typically will contain your commission name, so if your Notary commission isn't handy you should use sign the name as it is on your seal.
Does my notary stamp need my full name?
The name on your notarial seal must be exactly as it appears on your commission (GS 10B-37[b]). If your commission was issued to you with your middle initial, the seal must contain the middle initial. Confronted with a tricky notarization?
How to fill out a notary signature?
Write the name of the person swearing to the truthfulness of the contents of the documents. Sign your name exactly as it appears on file with the Secretary of State and affix the official notary seal so that all the required elements of the notary seal appear legibly.
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.
Does a notary have to stamp every signature?
All 50 states require public notaries to place their respective stamp on documents as a means to finalize and authenticate the service. Without this stamp, the document is not legally notarized.
What Is a Notary Stamp?
Where does the seal go on a certificate?
Typically, you will affix your seal next to your signature.
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.
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 makes a notarized document 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.
Do I need a witness for a notary?
Witnesses aren't always necessary, but you'll likely need one if you're creating a document requiring a notary. A witness is a neutral third party who watches the parties sign their legal document. They're brought in to confirm the identities of all the signers and that no forgery occurred.
What notary stamp is best?
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.
What do you say when you notarize a document?
Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on ______________ by _________________. This record was acknowledged before me on _______________ by ___________________. Signed (or attested) before me on _______________ by _____________________.
What is the official name of a notary?
A notary public ( a.k.a. notary or public notary; pl. notaries public) of the common law is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with general financial transactions, estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business.
Does a signature need to include your full name?
Because your signature identifies you, it should be consistent. It doesn't have to be your full name — unless you're specifically trying to match a previous authorized signature. You can choose to use just your initials instead, as one example.
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.
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 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.
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.
Is a document legal without the notary stamp?
Some jurisdictions do not require a notary public to stamp the document with their notary stamp in order for the document to be considered legally notarized. The notary stamp on a document makes the document look more official and is preferred if it is available to stamped by a notary public in most cases.
Where does the 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 signature be a stamp?
Signature stamps are generally recognized as legally binding when they accurately reflect the deliberate and authorized intent of the individual they represent.
Whose signature goes on a certificate?
It is common practice to have the signature of the person who holds the highest authority in the organization, such as the chairman or president, on a certificate of appreciation letter. However, if you would like to put the name of the organization instead of a specific individual, you can do so as well.
What name to put on a certificate?
Generally you can choose how you want your name displayed on a certificate. However, it is customary to have at least your first name and family name spelled in full. Any other names can be substituted with just the first letter.
Which notarial certificate must be signed in the presence of a notary?
For a jurat to be executed appropriately, the signer has to sign the document in the presence of the notary at the time of the notarial ceremony.