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Do I Need To Write My Commission Expiration Date On Documents?

I notarize liens at my job. At the bottom of the Notary wording, it says "My commission expires" but there is nowhere to write the date. If the date of expiration is on my stamp, does that need to be there?J.R., Arkansas

It is best to include it nearby the statement in the certificate simply to be safe. Arkansas statute does require a Notary to include the Notary’s commission expiration date on the certificate as well as in the seal. Usually the fact that it appears in your seal should be adequate, but including near the statement “My commission expires” as well will ensure the document is not rejected.

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

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19 Comments

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Cori Lawhorn

18 Nov 2024

TN- my commission expiration date is tomorrow’s date.Does this mean it expires by the time it is tomorrow or end of day tomorrow? Can i schedule a Notarization for tomorrow? In other words, can I notarize something on the same day of the expiration date or must it be the day before?

National Notary Association

20 Nov 2024

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.

Grace Steinert

15 Dec 2023

I’m from MN and filling it out online then sending it back so everything is blank right now. Am i supposed to fill out the notary public and the commission expires or leave it blank?

National Notary Association

18 Dec 2023

Hello. You can contact our Customer Care team at 1-800-876-6827 to request help with the Minnesota commissioning process.

Sher Bob

06 Nov 2022

Does New York require listing the expiration date - if it is inadvertently omitted, is the notary still valid? Can a "correction" be made rather than amending the notary in NY?

National Notary Association

10 Nov 2022

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.

Joseph

24 Aug 2022

I got a court summons but the notary didn’t fill in the my commission expires line. I’m from TN. Does TN require that line to be filled in?

National Notary Association

25 Aug 2022

Hello. You would need to contact the court directly to ask them about any document requirements.

Darla June Herrera

03 Jan 2022

Hello, New Mexico just put out a new notary stamp, and it states the commission date on the stamp so that you no longer have to write it in. Does this mean that I do not have to write my commission expires in ink as well on the document?

National Notary Associatoin

05 Jan 2022

Hello. Please see here for information on New Mexico's new Notary law: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2021/11/new-mexico-notaries-prepare-for-law-changes

winniegravely@gmail.com

02 Aug 2021

Hello I am a notary in the state of New Mexico. My stamp has a place for me to write in the date will this be acceptable?

National Notary Association

17 Aug 2021

Hello. In New Mexico, an inked Notary stamp must contain the following elements: “Official Seal”; Name of Notary;* “Notary Public – State of New Mexico”; “My Commission Expires ________ (date)”;** New Mexico state seal. The Notary’s name consists of a “surname and one given name, plus an initial or additional name if the (Notary) so desires, or surname and at least two initials” (NMSA 14-12A-4.C). Titles (e.g., Dr. or Prof.) may not be placed on the seal. ** The commission expiration date must be written in by hand.

Vivian Sickinger

27 Apr 2021

If a notary doesn't enter her expiration date can that void the contract?

National Notary Association

29 Apr 2021

Hello. We're sorry, but that is a legal question that must be answered by a qualified attorney.

Lisa Liang

14 Apr 2021

Hi, I am a notary in California. Please let me know if the state has pasted the law for remote online notarization. Thank you. Lisa Liang

National Notary Association

15 Apr 2021

Hello. No, California has not passed a law authorizing RON at this time.

Rosemary Mathews

13 Apr 2021

Sometimes an official document has a notary certificate but there is no provision for a venue. Is it alright (or is it necessary) if I write in the venue when it is not provided on the official document? I'm in NM.

National Notary Association

13 Apr 2021

Hello. In New Mexico, NMSA 14-14-7.A indicates that the venue shall be included. When notary wording does not include a space for the venue, you may simply write in the required information above the Notary wording.

BETTY NEWBY

20 Jul 2020

In Oregon you do and I am sure it is like that all over

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