MD Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements Flashcards

A Maryland notary's seal impression fades over time and becomes difficult to read. What should the notary do?

Answer: Replace the stamp or re-ink it so impressions remain clearly legible

Maryland's legibility requirement means a notary must maintain a stamp that consistently produces clear, readable impressions.

Under Maryland law, who is responsible for the security of the notary's official seal?

Answer: The notary personally

The individual notary is solely responsible for the safekeeping and security of their official seal.

If a Maryland notary becomes deceased, what should happen to their official seal?

Answer: The personal representative or estate should destroy or disable the seal

Upon a notary's death, the personal representative should destroy or disable the seal to prevent unauthorized use.

A notary's seal reads 'John A. Smith, Notary Public, Maryland.' The notary's legal commissioned name is 'John Allen Smith.' Is the seal compliant?

Answer: Yes, if the Secretary of State issued the commission to 'John A. Smith'

The seal must reflect the name as it appears on the notary's commission; if the commission says 'John A. Smith,' the seal is compliant.

Which document does a Maryland notary NOT need to affix their seal to?

Answer: An oral oath or affirmation administered without a written record

When a notary administers an oral oath or affirmation that produces no written record, there is no document on which to affix a seal.

Maryland law requires that a notary's electronic seal be attached to or logically associated with the electronic record. What does 'logically associated' mean in this context?

Answer: The seal is linked to the document so it cannot be removed and reattached to a different document

'Logically associated' means the electronic seal is bound to the record in a way that any tampering or detachment would be detectable.