NV Notary Official Seal and Stamp 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Nevada, is a metal embosser alone sufficient as the official notary seal?
- No, Nevada requires an inked rubber stamp; an embosser may only be used in addition to it (Correct answer)
- Yes, an embosser is the traditional and preferred seal
- Yes, but only for real estate documents
- No, Nevada notaries are prohibited from owning embossers entirely
Correct answer: No, Nevada requires an inked rubber stamp; an embosser may only be used in addition to it
Nevada law requires an inked stamp that can be photographically reproduced, so an embosser may supplement but never replace it.
Question 2: A signer asks a Nevada notary to stamp a blank sheet of paper 'for later use.' What should the notary do?
- Refuse, because the stamp may only be affixed as part of performing an authorized notarial act (Correct answer)
- Comply, since the signer will fill in the document later
- Comply, but note it in the journal
- Stamp it only if the signer pays an extra fee
Correct answer: Refuse, because the stamp may only be affixed as part of performing an authorized notarial act
Affixing the official stamp to a blank or incomplete document is prohibited because the stamp may only be used to complete an actual notarial act.
Question 3: Which scenario describes proper storage of a Nevada notary's stamp?
- Kept in a locked drawer to which only the notary has access (Correct answer)
- Left on the shared front desk so any employee can find it
- Stored in the office manager's safe with other company property
- Kept in an unlocked communal supply cabinet
Correct answer: Kept in a locked drawer to which only the notary has access
The stamp must be kept in a secure location under the notary's sole and exclusive control.
Question 4: A Nevada notary's stamp impression comes out smudged and partially unreadable on a deed. What is the best course of action?
- Affix a clear, legible impression in a nearby open area of the certificate (Correct answer)
- Leave it, since some ink transferred to the page
- Trace over the smudged impression with a pen
- Cut out the smudge and tape a fresh impression over it
Correct answer: Affix a clear, legible impression in a nearby open area of the certificate
Because the impression must be legible and reproducible, the notary should stamp again clearly in a blank area rather than alter the smudged one.
Question 5: A notary resigns her Nevada commission halfway through the term. What should she do with her official stamp?
- Destroy or deface the stamp so it cannot be misused (Correct answer)
- Mail the stamp to the county recorder for archiving
- Give the stamp to her employer for the next notary
- Sell the stamp to another notary with the same name
Correct answer: Destroy or deface the stamp so it cannot be misused
When a commission ends by resignation, revocation, or expiration, the stamp should be destroyed to prevent fraudulent use.
Question 6: Which element on the Nevada notary stamp allows the Secretary of State to identify the specific notary in its records?
- The appointment (commission) number (Correct answer)
- The notary's home address
- The notary's date of birth
- The stamp vendor's serial code
Correct answer: The appointment (commission) number
The appointment number is the unique identifier the Secretary of State assigns to each notary's commission.
Question 7: A Nevada notary legally changes her name after marriage. What is true about her existing stamp?
- She must obtain a stamp reflecting her new name after notifying the Secretary of State of the change (Correct answer)
- She may keep stamping under her old name indefinitely
- She may alternate freely between old and new names
- She must stop notarizing permanently and reapply from scratch
Correct answer: She must obtain a stamp reflecting her new name after notifying the Secretary of State of the change
The stamp must show the notary's name as it appears on file with the Secretary of State, so a name change requires notification and an updated stamp.
NV Notary Official Seal and Stamp 3
In Nevada, is a metal embosser alone sufficient as the official notary seal?