Notary Stamps
A notary stamp is one of the most important tools that a notary public uses to do his or her job. Notary stamps are sometimes referred to as “seals” and are a way of certifying the authenticity of a the signature on a legal document. Affixing a notary stamp to the legal document it is the last and most important step in the notarization process.
A notary public that possesses a notary stamp should be aware of several factors of notary stamp ownership.
-Keeping one’s notary stamp under private control at all times is essential. Notary stamps could be a tool that is used to commit fraud and allowing unguarded access to one’s notary stamp can easily result in unauthorized use. A notary public could be liable for a lawsuit if they do not maintain strict control over their notary stamp.
-Once an individual obtains a particular notary stamp, it is theirs and theirs alone to keep. Notary stamps are the sole property of the individual that becomes certified to use them. When working as a notary public under any employer, the employer has no legal right to use, control or keep one’s notary stamp, whether or not they paid for it.
-If an individual loses their notary stamp, the loss must be immediately reported to state notary authority. Failure to do so may result in legal persecution against the individual owner of the notary stamp.
-If a person’s notary stamp expires, or if that person has their name changed, a new notary stamp must be issued and the old one must be destroyed. Notary stamps cannot be left unattended whether or not they are still legally able to be used.
-Whether or not one needs a notary ink stamp or embossing seal is left entirely up to the state in which the notary public is certified to practice in. Finding out this information is necessary. It is also important to find out what must appear on the notary stamp or seal. This task can be accomplished by looking into the state statutes for the complete information about that particular state’s notary stamp requirements. Every state has a different law when it applies to using a notary stamp.
-Most states require an ink stamp for their form of the authentication and the notary stamp. Depending on the state, there may be a choice between an ink notary stamp or an embossing seal. An embossing seal must be photographically clear to be valid, as a notary stamp must be easily viewed and legible. In those cases, the decision lies in the hands of the notary public and discretion should be used by that individual. Some states demand that their notary stamps be ink stamps and embossing seals are not legally acceptable. Very few states require neither an ink or embossing notary stamps; in fact, only seven states have banished the notary stamp or seal from notarized paperwork.