Notary seal
The seal of a notary public, carrying their name, commission number and jurisdiction.
What must appear on it is set by the jurisdiction that commissioned the notary, and commonly includes the notary’s name, the words "Notary Public", the jurisdiction, the commission number and its expiry date.
A serrated or scalloped rim is the traditional look, from the days when notarial seals were embossed rather than inked.
Only a commissioned notary may use one. Designing a notary seal without a commission is not a notarisation, and using it as though it were is a criminal offence in many places.
Related terms
- Commissioner for oaths: A person authorised to administer oaths and take affidavits, whose stamp carries their commission details.
- Embossed seal: A seal pressed into paper to raise the design, leaving no ink.