MI Notary Michigan Notary Seal and Signature Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must a Michigan notary include in the notarial certificate in addition to their seal and signature?
- The document's title
- Their commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- The signer's date of birth
- The document's page count
Correct answer: Their commission expiration date
Michigan notaries must include their commission expiration date in the notarial certificate language.
Question 2: May a Michigan notary's seal be used by another person to notarize a document?
- Yes, if authorized by the notary in writing
- No, the seal is personal and may only be used by the commissioned notary (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the notary is unavailable and another notary uses it
- Only with the county clerk's permission
Correct answer: No, the seal is personal and may only be used by the commissioned notary
A notary's official seal is personal and may only be used by the notary to whom it was issued—no delegation is permitted.
Question 3: Where on a notarial certificate should a Michigan notary place their seal?
- At the top of the document
- Near or adjacent to the notary's signature on the certificate (Correct answer)
- On every page of the document
- In the margin of the first page
Correct answer: Near or adjacent to the notary's signature on the certificate
The seal should be placed near the notary's signature on the notarial certificate to clearly associate it with the official act.
Question 4: A notarial act is performed in Michigan but the seal impression is smudged and illegible. What is the best course of action?
- The document is still valid regardless of seal quality
- The notary should re-stamp to produce a clear impression (Correct answer)
- File an amended certificate with the county clerk
- Notify the Secretary of State of the defect
Correct answer: The notary should re-stamp to produce a clear impression
An illegible seal impression should be corrected by re-stamping to ensure the notarization is legally effective.
Question 5: When a Michigan notary's commission expires, what must they do with their official seal?
- Return it to the Secretary of State
- Destroy it to prevent unauthorized use (Correct answer)
- Keep it as a personal souvenir
- Transfer it to another notary
Correct answer: Destroy it to prevent unauthorized use
Upon expiration or resignation of a Michigan notary commission, the notary should destroy their official seal to prevent its misuse.
Question 6: What county information, if any, must appear on a Michigan notary's seal?
- The county where the notary is commissioned must appear
- No county information is required on the seal (Correct answer)
- The county where the act is performed must appear
- The capital county 'Ingham' must always appear
Correct answer: No county information is required on the seal
Michigan law does not require the notary's county to appear on their official seal.
MI Notary Michigan Notary Seal and Signature Requirements 2
What must a Michigan notary include in the notarial certificate in addition to their seal and signature?