WI Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: May a Wisconsin employer require a notary employee to surrender their seal when leaving employment?
- No, the seal belongs to the notary, not the employer (Correct answer)
- Yes, the employer always owns the seal
- Only if the employer paid for it
- Yes, if stated in the employment contract
Correct answer: No, the seal belongs to the notary, not the employer
Because the seal is personal property of the notary, an employer cannot legally require its surrender, regardless of who paid for it.
Question 2: Is an ink stamp acceptable as an official seal for a Wisconsin notary?
- Yes, an inked rubber stamp is acceptable (Correct answer)
- No, only embossing seals are allowed
- Only electronic seals are permitted
- Only metal dies are permitted
Correct answer: Yes, an inked rubber stamp is acceptable
Wisconsin law permits notaries to use an inked rubber stamp as their official seal, in addition to embossing seals.
Question 3: When must a Wisconsin notary affix their official seal to a notarial certificate?
- Each time a notarial act is performed (Correct answer)
- Only for real estate documents
- Only when the client requests it
- Only for documents filed in federal court
Correct answer: Each time a notarial act is performed
A Wisconsin notary must affix their official seal to every notarial certificate completed in connection with a notarial act.
Question 4: What happens to a Wisconsin notary's seal if the notary's name changes?
- The notary must obtain a new seal reflecting the new name (Correct answer)
- The old seal remains valid for the life of the commission
- The notary must notify the DFI but may keep the old seal
- The commission is automatically revoked
Correct answer: The notary must obtain a new seal reflecting the new name
If a notary's legal name changes, they must obtain a new seal displaying the new name and notify the Department of Financial Institutions.
Question 5: Can a Wisconsin notary use a digital image of their seal for electronic notarizations?
- Yes, with proper authorization for electronic notarization (Correct answer)
- No, only physical seals are ever permitted
- Yes, any notary can use a digital seal without special permission
- No, digital seals are banned in Wisconsin
Correct answer: Yes, with proper authorization for electronic notarization
Wisconsin notaries authorized to perform electronic notarizations may use a digital image of their official seal for those acts.
Question 6: Is it permissible for a Wisconsin notary to allow another person to use their official seal?
- No, the seal may only be used by the notary personally (Correct answer)
- Yes, with written permission from the notary
- Yes, if the person is also a notary
- Yes, if the employer authorizes it
Correct answer: No, the seal may only be used by the notary personally
A notary's official seal is for their personal use only and may never be lent to or used by anyone else.
WI Notary Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 2
May a Wisconsin employer require a notary employee to surrender their seal when leaving employment?