A. Yes, but only if there is no other way to affix your stamp. Every certificate requires you to affix your Notary seal.
B. No, you should never cover certificate wording or document text with the seal impression.
Answer: B. You should never affix your official seal in a way that covers the document or the Notary certificate wording. If you can’t place your seal without covering text or signatures on the document or certificate, you will need to complete and attach a separate certificate form.
3. What date should the Notary enter on the notarial certificate wording?
A. The date the Notary was commissioned
B. The date the Notary’s commission expires
C. The date the notarization takes place
D. The date the notarized document takes effect
Show Answer
Answer: C. The Notary must always enter the actual date the notarization takes place in the certificate wording. A Notary must never pre-date, backdate or enter a false date on a certificate, because doing so is illegal and could result in losing your commission as well as civil and criminal penalties.
4. When the Notary signs the certificate wording, how should the name be signed?
A. The Notary’s name should exactly match the name on file with your state’s commissioning official.
B. The Notary should always sign their full name, regardless of what’s on the commission.
C. The Notary may choose to omit their middle name or use an initial instead.e
D. The Notary may sign however they wish, as long as the signature doesn’t cover any other text.
Show Answer
Answer: A. When signing a notarial certificate, the Notary’s name should exactly match the name that is on file with the state commissioning official. Depending on your state, this may be the name signed on the Notary commission application, or the Notary’s oath of office form.
For more guidance, please see our article and video on how to complete a Notary certificate.
David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.