CA Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: California law requires that a notary's seal impression must be:
- Centered at the top of the document
- Legible and photographically reproducible (Correct answer)
- At least 1.5 inches in diameter
- Applied only in blue or black ink
Correct answer: Legible and photographically reproducible
The seal impression must be legible and capable of being reproduced photographically so that copies of notarized documents clearly show the seal.
Question 2: Where on a notarized document should a California notary public affix their official seal?
- Only on the signature line next to the notary's signature
- On the acknowledgment or jurat certificate near the notary's signature (Correct answer)
- At the top of the first page of every notarized document
- On every page of the document being notarized
Correct answer: On the acknowledgment or jurat certificate near the notary's signature
The seal is placed on the notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat) near the notary's signature, as that is where the notarization is completed.
Question 3: A California notary public applies their seal, but the impression is smudged and unreadable. What is the appropriate action?
- Sign and complete the notarization anyway, since the seal was applied
- Re-apply the seal in a clear area so a legible impression appears on the document (Correct answer)
- Use a different seal belonging to a colleague
- Proceed without a seal and note the malfunction in the journal
Correct answer: Re-apply the seal in a clear area so a legible impression appears on the document
If the seal impression is illegible, the notary should re-stamp it in a clear area on the certificate to ensure a photographically reproducible impression is present.
Question 4: Can a California notary public perform a notarial act after their commission has expired, using their old seal?
- Yes, for up to 30 days after expiration while waiting for renewal
- Yes, if the signer urgently needs the document notarized
- No, a notary may only use their seal during the period of their active commission (Correct answer)
- Yes, as long as they disclose the expiration to the signer
Correct answer: No, a notary may only use their seal during the period of their active commission
A notary has no authority to perform notarial acts after their commission expires, and using the seal beyond that date would constitute unauthorized practice.
Question 5: Which element on the California notary seal allows the Secretary of State and others to identify the specific notary's appointment?
- The notary's printed name
- The commission expiration date
- The commission number (Correct answer)
- The county of principal place of business
Correct answer: The commission number
The commission number is the unique identifier assigned to each notary appointment that allows the Secretary of State to track and verify a specific commission.
Question 6: How must a California notary public store their official seal when not in use?
- In a locked, secured area under the notary's direct control (Correct answer)
- At their employer's front desk for convenient access
- In a fireproof safe at the county clerk's office
- There are no storage requirements as long as it is within the office
Correct answer: In a locked, secured area under the notary's direct control
The notary must keep the seal secured to prevent unauthorized use, as the notary is personally responsible for its safekeeping.
Question 7: What action must a California notary take if they change their principal place of business to a different county?
- Continue using the existing seal until the commission expires
- File a change of address with the Secretary of State and obtain a new seal reflecting the new county (Correct answer)
- Notify the county clerk in both counties and request updated authorization
- Obtain a second seal listing the new county and use both seals going forward
Correct answer: File a change of address with the Secretary of State and obtain a new seal reflecting the new county
When a notary's county of principal place of business changes, they must file an amendment with the Secretary of State and update their seal to reflect the correct county.
CA Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 2
California law requires that a notary's seal impression must be: