IA Administrative Rule 2012 (Seal)

Rule/Regulation

State: Iowa

Effective: April 18, 2012

Summary

This emergency rule clarifies that the seal of a Notary must appear on a notarized document.

Affects

Amends Section 721-43.1(9E) of the Iowa Code.

Changes

Clarifies that a Notary must affix the Notary's seal on a notarial certificate that evidences the completion of a notarial act.

Analysis

Under Iowa's Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, the statute provides that the Notary's seal must be part of the certificate of a notarial act (IC 9E.14). The prior administrative rule said the seal "may" be included on the certificate. As there is a world of difference between the words "may" and "shall," this rule cleared up the discrepancy.

Read the adopted administrative rule.