DE Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 3

Question 1

What is the primary legal purpose of the notary seal on a notarized document?

Accepted Answer

To authenticate the notary's official act and identify the notarizing authority

Answer

The seal authenticates the notarial act, identifies the notary as a duly commissioned official of the State of Delaware, and gives legal weight to the notarization.

Question 2

A Delaware notary receives a pre-signed document and the signer is not present. The signer calls and asks the notary to affix the seal anyway. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize because the signer must appear in person

Answer

A notary cannot notarize a document when the signer is not personally present; affixing the seal without a proper appearance would be improper and potentially fraudulent.

Question 3

What happens to the legal authority of a notary's seal when the Delaware Secretary of State revokes the notary's commission?

Accepted Answer

The seal's authority ceases immediately upon revocation

Answer

Revocation of the commission immediately terminates all notarial authority, including the right to use the seal, with no grace period.

Question 4

A notary's seal is an official state instrument. Which of the following uses of the seal would be a misuse under Delaware law?

Accepted Answer

Stamping a document to certify the notary's own signature on a personal affidavit

Answer

A notary cannot notarize their own signature because a notary must be impartial and cannot notarize documents in which they have a direct personal interest.

Question 5

Can a Delaware notary use a seal design of their own custom creation, such as a logo or graphic?

Accepted Answer

No, seals must conform to a standard design approved by the Department of State

Answer

Delaware seal requirements specify what information must appear, and the seal must conform to statutory requirements; custom decorative designs that replace required elements are not permitted.

DE Notary - Delaware Notary Exam Practice Test

DE Notary - Delaware Notary Exam Practice Test

DE Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 3