NH Notary NH Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under New Hampshire law, what must a notary public use to authenticate a notarial act?
- A handwritten signature only
- An official stamp or seal (Correct answer)
- A letterhead with the notary's name
- A verbal declaration only
Correct answer: An official stamp or seal
NH RSA 455-A requires a notary public to use an official stamp or seal when performing a notarial act to authenticate the notarization.
Question 2: Which of the following pieces of information is REQUIRED to appear on a New Hampshire notary stamp?
- The notary's personal address
- The notary's commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- The notary's telephone number
- The notary's Social Security number
Correct answer: The notary's commission expiration date
A New Hampshire notary stamp must include the notary's commission expiration date so parties can verify the notary was authorized at the time of the act.
Question 3: Which phrase is required to appear on a New Hampshire notary public's official stamp?
- Licensed Notary Agent
- Notary Public (Correct answer)
- Certified Public Notary
- Authorized State Official
Correct answer: Notary Public
The phrase 'Notary Public' is a mandatory element on a New Hampshire notary stamp to identify the signer's official capacity.
Question 4: What geographic designation must appear on a New Hampshire notary's official stamp?
- The county where the notary resides
- State of New Hampshire (Correct answer)
- New England Region
- The city where the notary was commissioned
Correct answer: State of New Hampshire
The stamp must indicate 'State of New Hampshire' to establish the jurisdiction that granted the notary's commission.
Question 5: A New Hampshire notary's stamp impression on a document must be:
- In red ink only
- Legible and capable of being photocopied (Correct answer)
- Embossed (raised) and ink-free
- Written in permanent marker
Correct answer: Legible and capable of being photocopied
NH law requires that a notary's stamp impression be legible and reproducible in copies, ensuring the notarization can be verified in photocopied or scanned documents.
Question 6: What must a New Hampshire notary public include on the stamp in addition to their name and the words 'Notary Public'?
- A unique serial number assigned by the Secretary of State
- The state name and commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- Their attorney bar number if applicable
- The names of two character references
Correct answer: The state name and commission expiration date
NH notary stamps must include the notary's name, 'Notary Public,' 'State of New Hampshire,' and the commission expiration date as required elements.
Question 7: Under NH law, who is responsible for the security of a notary's official stamp?
- The county clerk's office
- The notary public personally (Correct answer)
- The employer of the notary
- The Secretary of State's office
Correct answer: The notary public personally
The notary public is personally responsible for the security and control of their official stamp to prevent unauthorized use.
NH Notary NH Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 1
Under New Hampshire law, what must a notary public use to authenticate a notarial act?