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The National Notary Bulletin

Do I need to use both a seal and embosser when I notarize?

By NNA Staff, November 18, 2024

Photo of woman with long dark hair on phone. She is looking at papers in her hand. Text on image reads NNA Hotline Tip.

In Maryland do I need a stamp and a seal for documents? Or can I just use a stamp? — D. S., Maryland

The law only requires an official stamp; an embosser is not required in addition to a Notary stamp.

Please see the U.S. Notary Reference page for Notary seal and/or embosser requirements in other states.

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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4 Comments

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Victoria Sidlauskas

09 Dec 2024

Is the embosser required in Florida

National Notary Association

11 Dec 2024

Hello. FL Notaries are required to use a rubber inked seal: “A notary public seal… shall be of the rubber stamp type” (FS 117.05[3][a]).

Victoria Shorter

01 Dec 2024

Is a seal and embosser required to notarize in NJ?

National Notary Association

02 Dec 2024

Hello. Yes, please see below: “If a notarial act regarding a tangible record is performed by a notary public, an official stamp shall be affixed to or embossed on the certificate near the signature of the notary public so as to be clear and readable” (NJSA 52:7-10.5.b). “If a notarial act regarding an electronic record is performed by a notary public and the certificate contains the information specified in subsection a. of this section, an official stamp must be attached to or logically associated with the certificate” (NJSA 52:7-10.5.b). “'Official stamp' means a physical image affixed to or embossed on a tangible record or an electronic image attached to, or logically associated with, an electronic record” (NJSA 52:7-10.1.I). “'Stamping device' means: “(1) A physical device capable of affixing to or embossing on a tangible record an official stamp; or “(2) An electronic device or process capable of attaching to or logically associating with an electronic record an official stamp” (NJSA 52:7-10.1.n).

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