What should I do if my Notary stamp breaks?

The Notary Public Manual for Arizona says that Notaries can only have one stamp at a time. What are my options if my stamp breaks or I cannot use it in the middle of a loan signing? — C.W., Arizona

Unfortunately, the law does not allow you to have a back-up to use in the middle of a notarization if your stamp breaks. All you can do at this time is notify the Secretary of State of your malfunctioning stamp and then you can order a new one.

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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Marvin Posadas

12 Jun 2023

california. my cheap notary stamp broke into 3 pieces. can i just take the stamp out and put it on a more solid one somehow?

National Notary Association

13 Jun 2023

Hello. If your Notary seal is broken, you will have to contact the CA Secretary of State's office to request authorization to purchase a replacement.

RIHERE REYES

24 Mar 2023

FROM WASHINGTON STATE

28 Mar 2023

Hello. If you obtained your seal through the NNA, please contact our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org for assistance. If you did not, you will need to contact the Washington Department of State at notaries@dol.wa.gov to request instructions and authorization to purchase a replacement seal.

Rihere Ike Reyes

20 Mar 2023

Do I need any special form? Oh just a letter, or a phone call? Sorry new Notary here

22 Mar 2023

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are located in?

omamoog105@sbcglobal.net

25 Apr 2021

My CA Notary Seal broke. How can I order another?

29 Apr 2021

Hello. To obtain a new seal, you must obtain a duplicate Certificate of Authorization by submitting a written request to the Secretary of State's office. There is no charge for the issuance of a duplicate Certificate of Authorization. The mailing address can be found here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/contact/

Alice R. Higgins

31 Dec 2020

Need help with my seal, I think the problem is the seal. I am getting complaints about my seal, it is not clear. I have to press the inker hard so one can see the information however it is so dark the information on the embossing is not clear. Can the seal loose its ridges sharpness?

05 Jan 2021

Hello. Yes, it is possible for an ink seal to become worn out or damaged, in which case you would need to obtain a replacement seal.

Alan

28 Dec 2020

In California would it be possible to continue with the notarization if your stamp breaks, but you have the ability to ink your seal embosser since it has the same legally required information?

04 Jan 2021

Hello. “The seal of every notary public shall be affixed by a seal press or stamp that will print or emboss a seal which legibly reproduces under photographic methods the required elements of the seal” (GC 8207). According to the state Notary Public Handbook, because of the inconvenience of “smudging” an embosser to make its impression photographable, virtually all California Notaries use inked stamps as their official seal. However, “notaries public may use an embosser seal in addition to the rubber stamp”

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