ID Notary - Idaho Notary The Notary's Official Seal Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following elements is required to be included on an Idaho notary's official seal?
- The notary's business address
- The Great Seal of the State of Idaho
- The notary's state-issued commission number (Correct answer)
- The county where the notary is commissioned
Correct answer: The notary's state-issued commission number
According to Idaho Code §51-117, an official notary stamp must include the notary public's name as it appears on the commission, the words "Notary Public," the words "State of Idaho," and the notary's state-issued commission number.
Question 2: An Idaho notary, commissioned in 2023, is purchasing a new official seal. What are the shape and border requirements for the stamp?
- Rectangular or circular with a smooth border
- Oval or square with any border style
- Rectangular or circular with a serrated or milled-edge border (Correct answer)
- Any shape, as long as it contains the required information
Correct answer: Rectangular or circular with a serrated or milled-edge border
Idaho law requires that the official seal be a rubber stamp in either a rectangular or circular form and that it must have a serrated or milled-edge border.
Question 3: A notary in Boise is performing a notarization. Which of the following pieces of information is PERMITTED, but not required, on the official notary stamp itself?
- The notary's commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- The notary's telephone number
- The address of the Secretary of State's office
- The notary's signature
Correct answer: The notary's commission expiration date
Idaho Code §51-117 allows for the inclusion of the words "My commission expires:" followed by the commission expiration date on the official stamp, but it is not mandatory. However, the expiration date must still be indicated on the notarial certificate.
Question 4: A newly commissioned Idaho notary realizes their official stamp was stolen from their desk. What is the notary's immediate responsibility?
- Wait a week to see if it turns up before taking any action.
- Order an identical replacement stamp immediately.
- Promptly notify the Idaho Secretary of State's office. (Correct answer)
- Publish a notice in the local newspaper.
Correct answer: Promptly notify the Idaho Secretary of State's office.
If a notary public's stamping device is lost or stolen, Idaho law requires the notary to promptly notify the commissioning officer (the Secretary of State) upon discovering the loss or theft.
Question 5: Regarding the physical characteristics of a rectangular official notary stamp in Idaho, what are the maximum dimensions?
- 3 inches by 1.5 inches
- 2.25 inches by 1 inch (Correct answer)
- 2.5 inches by 1.25 inches
- 2 inches by 2 inches
Correct answer: 2.25 inches by 1 inch
As of October 1, 2018, Idaho law specifies that a rectangular notary stamp shall not exceed two and one-fourth (2.25) inches by one (1) inch.
Question 6: An Idaho notary's commission is about to expire, and they have completed the renewal process. When can they begin using their new official seal that contains the new commission dates?
- As soon as the new seal is received, they must destroy the old one.
- On the first day of their new commission term. (Correct answer)
- They can use either the old or new seal for a 30-day grace period.
- Immediately, as long as they make a note in their journal.
Correct answer: On the first day of their new commission term.
A notary must continue to use their existing seal until their current commission expires. The new seal, with the updated commission information, should only be used starting on the effective date of the new commission term.
ID Notary - Idaho Notary The Notary's Official Seal Questions and Answers
Which of the following elements is required to be included on an Idaho notary's official seal?