Notary Public Exam Notary Seal & Stamp Requirements

Question 1

What is the primary legal purpose of a notary's official seal or stamp?

Accepted Answer

To authenticate the notarial act and confirm the notary's identity and authority

Answer

To decorate official documents with a government symbol

Answer

To replace the notary's handwritten signature

Answer

To certify the accuracy of the document's content

Question 2

Which type of information is typically required to appear on a notary's official seal?

Accepted Answer

Notary's name, state of commission, and commission expiration date (requirements vary by state)

Answer

Notary's home address and phone number

Answer

The document title and page count

Answer

The signer's name and date of birth

Question 3

What should a notary do immediately upon discovering their official seal has been lost or stolen?

Accepted Answer

Report it to the commissioning authority (Secretary of State or equivalent) and obtain a replacement seal

Answer

Continue notarizing using only a signature until a new seal arrives

Answer

Report only to local police and take no further official action

Answer

Wait to see if the seal is recovered before taking any action

Question 4

What is an embosser seal?

Accepted Answer

A device that presses a raised impression into paper without ink, used as a supplementary or primary notary seal in some states

Answer

An electronic seal used for remote online notarizations

Answer

A rubber stamp that uses red ink for emphasis

Answer

A seal exclusively authorized for notaries who are also attorneys

Question 5

May a notary use their official seal after their commission has expired?

Accepted Answer

No, using a seal after commission expiration is unauthorized and constitutes misconduct

Answer

Yes, for 30 days after expiration as a grace period

Answer

Yes, as long as the notary has applied for renewal

Answer

Yes, if the document was signed before the expiration date

Question 6

What should a notary do with their seal and journal when their commission ends or they resign?

Accepted Answer

Destroy or deface the seal so it cannot be misused, and follow state law regarding journal disposition (surrender, retain, or destroy)

Answer

Keep both items indefinitely as personal memorabilia

Answer

Transfer the seal to another notary in their office

Answer

Return only the journal to the county clerk and keep the seal