I’m awaiting my Notary stamp. In the meantime, can I notarize without it? — V. B., Delaware
No, you may not perform notarial acts without your official stamp. The state of Delaware requires the use of a Notary seal for notarizations:
“If a notarial act regarding a tangible record is performed by a notary public, an official stamp must be affixed to or embossed on the certificate” (29 DC 4328[b]).
For more information, please see our article on the 5 steps to correctly complete a notarization.
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 consultants 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.