MD Notary MD Notary Seal and Stamp Requirements 3

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Continue using it because fading is acceptable under Maryland law

Answer

Tape a printed label with the required information next to each impression

Answer

Retire the stamp only when it stops making any impression at all

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The notary personally

Answer

The notary's employer

Answer

The Secretary of State

Answer

The county clerk

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The personal representative or estate should destroy or disable the seal

Answer

The seal should be returned to the Secretary of State

Answer

The seal should be given to another notary in the office

Answer

The seal becomes invalid automatically and no action is needed

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

No, the middle name must always be spelled out in full

Answer

Yes, any variation of the name is acceptable

Answer

No, 'A.' is not a sufficient middle name representation

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

An oral oath or affirmation administered without a written record

Answer

An acknowledgment on a deed

Answer

A jurat on an affidavit

Answer

A certified copy of a document

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The seal is stored in the same folder as the document

Answer

The seal appears on a separate page within the same file

Answer

The seal is referenced in the document's metadata only