AL Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following information is required to appear on an Alabama notary public's official seal?
- The notary's name, 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Alabama' (Correct answer)
- The notary's home address and phone number
- The notary's commission expiration date and bond amount
- The notary's Social Security number and date of birth
Correct answer: The notary's name, 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Alabama'
Alabama law requires the notary seal to display the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Alabama' to authenticate official acts.
Question 2: Which type of seal impression is acceptable for use by an Alabama notary public?
- Both an inked rubber stamp and an embossing seal (Correct answer)
- Only an embossing seal that raises the paper
- Only a blue-ink rubber stamp
- Only a pre-inked stamp purchased from the state
Correct answer: Both an inked rubber stamp and an embossing seal
Alabama notaries may use either an inked rubber stamp or an embossing seal, as both create a recognizable impression that authenticates notarial acts.
Question 3: Who is responsible for the security and safekeeping of an Alabama notary's official seal?
- The notary public personally (Correct answer)
- The county probate judge who issued the commission
- The notary's employer or supervising attorney
- The Alabama Secretary of State's office
Correct answer: The notary public personally
The notary public is personally responsible for securing their seal and preventing unauthorized use, as the seal represents their individual official authority.
Question 4: What should an Alabama notary public do if their official seal is lost or stolen?
- Report the loss and obtain a replacement seal promptly (Correct answer)
- Continue notarizing without a seal until the commission expires
- File for a new commission immediately
- Notify only their employer but no government authority
Correct answer: Report the loss and obtain a replacement seal promptly
A notary whose seal is lost or stolen should report the loss and obtain a replacement to prevent unauthorized notarizations under the missing seal.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of affixing the official seal to a notarized document in Alabama?
- To authenticate the notarial act and identify the notary (Correct answer)
- To replace the notary's signature on the document
- To indicate the document has been recorded with the county
- To certify that the document has been reviewed by an attorney
Correct answer: To authenticate the notarial act and identify the notary
The official seal authenticates the notarial act by identifying the notary and their authority, giving the document legal recognition.
Question 6: May an Alabama notary public allow another individual to use their official notary seal?
- No, only the commissioned notary may use their seal (Correct answer)
- Yes, with written permission from the county probate judge
- Yes, if the person is a licensed attorney
- Yes, if the notary is temporarily unavailable
Correct answer: No, only the commissioned notary may use their seal
An Alabama notary's seal represents personal, non-transferable authority; allowing another to use it constitutes official misconduct.
Question 7: Where on a notarized document should an Alabama notary affix their seal impression?
- Near the notary's signature on the notarial certificate (Correct answer)
- On the first page of every document regardless of content
- On the back of each page of the document
- Anywhere on the document as long as it is visible
Correct answer: Near the notary's signature on the notarial certificate
The seal should be placed near the notary's signature on the notarial certificate to associate the seal with the official notarial act.
AL Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 1
Which of the following information is required to appear on an Alabama notary public's official seal?