Notarial Certificates and Seal Flashcards

What must a Texas notary's official seal contain according to Texas Government Code §406.013?

Answer: The notary's name, 'Notary Public, State of Texas,' commission number, and expiration date

§406.013 requires four elements: notary name, the words 'Notary Public, State of Texas,' the commission number, and the commission expiration date.

What happens if a notarial certificate contains a blank that is not filled in?

Answer: The certificate is incomplete and the notarization is defective

Leaving blanks in a notarial certificate creates a defective and incomplete notarization that may be rejected by courts, lenders, and government offices.

Which of the following is true about the Texas notary seal?

Answer: Either a rubber stamp or an embosser (crimper) is acceptable

Texas law allows notaries to use either an inked rubber stamp or an embosser (dry seal) as their official seal.

What is the venue on a notarial certificate?

Answer: The state and county where the notarial act was performed

The venue is the statement on the notarial certificate identifying the state and county in which the notarial act took place.

Can a Texas notary use a facsimile signature stamp instead of their handwritten signature on notarial certificates?

Answer: No, Texas law requires the notary's handwritten or electronic signature on notarial certificates

Texas law requires notaries to personally sign notarial certificates; a facsimile rubber stamp signature is generally not acceptable for traditional notarizations.

What should a Texas notary do if they make a mistake on a notarial certificate?

Answer: Cross out the error with a single line, initial it, and write the correct information nearby

The proper way to correct a handwritten error on a notarial certificate is to draw a single line through it, initial the correction, and write the correct information.