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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Can I Notarize Documents If I've Lost My Seal?

By NNA Staff on January 7, 2016

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I lost my Notary seal and journal and I am in the process of getting them replaced. Can I still notarize documents with just my signature or is a stamp/seal also required? — A. C., Texas

No, you would not be able to notarize without your Notary seal stamp. Texas Notaries are required to affix a seal on every notarial certificate they complete and sign (GC 406.013).

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

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12 Comments

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manonck@rmktravel.com

11 Jan 2016

Why is this blocking the article?

National Notary Association

13 Jan 2016

Hi. We're not clear from your message what you are referring to-all articles should be available for public viewing. If you are having an issue, please contact us at social@nationalnotary.org with a description of the issue you're having and what type of device you're using to view the article and we'll try to help you. Thanks.

John McCoy

12 Jan 2016

FL allows $10.00 per Notarization. When doing a loan signing, can I consider each seal a $10.00 fee? Notarizations are not (income) taxable according to IRS.

National Notary Association

15 Jan 2016

Hello John. Because loan document signings often require signing agents to perform other tasks in addition to notarizing signatures-such as printing loan documents, delivering them to the signer and mailing the completed loan package-the amount signing agents are paid for assignments can vary. It is up to each signing agent to negotiate the fee he or she deems appropriate with the company offering signing assignments.

Linda J Hubbell

15 Jan 2016

John - you should speak with your accountant about the tax exemptions. Notary fees are exempt only from self-employment tax. However, they ARE taxable as income - so if you do one notarization and charge $35.00 (for example) - $10 is exempt from self-employment tax but the entire $35 is to be included in taxable income.

Linda J Hubbell

15 Jan 2016

And apologies to all. To answer the question for Florida - no, in Florida the notary would not be able to notarize without their seal.

LESLIE SORTO

24 Oct 2016

I LOST MY SEAL AND MY RECORD BOOK. PLEASE SEND ME BY EMAIL THE FORM I HAVE TO MAIL OUT. THX!

National Notary Association

25 Oct 2016

Hello Leslie. Depending on your state's rules you may have to notify your state's Notary-regulating agency of the loss. If you can please let us know what state you are commissioned in we'll be happy to provide you with additional information. Thanks.

Rosa Gonzalez

08 Sep 2017

I lost my seal & stamp and is so hard to get in touch to provide info on what step i should do next, i need to get a new application or renewal. Am afraid someone can make fraud with my tools. I am from Hamilton, NJ

National Notary Association

08 Sep 2017

Hello. This article offers some suggested steps when you lose your seal: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/10/notary-seal-or-journal-go-missing

Denise

17 Aug 2021

Can I notorize a document with just my seal and not my stamp?

National Notary Association

26 Aug 2021

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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