Does a Notary have to use a seal when notarizing documents?
A complete notarial act requires a Notary’s signature and seal. • Is a document valid if the Notary fails to include the expiration date of his or her term of office? A document is generally valid if the expiration date is mistakenly left out. The wise Notary will always include the expiration date. If no stamp is handy, the expiration date may be handwritten. • May a Notary refuse to witness a document? A Notary may, and should, refuse to witness a signature whenever any question exists as to the identity of the signer, the sanity of the signer, or the voluntariness of the signature. A Notary should confirm the identity of the signer based on personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence. • Can I sign as a witness in addition to acting as a notary on a document? A Notary is disqualified from performing a notarial act when he or she is also a party to the document for which notarization is required. • If a Notary resides in one county can he or she notarize a document in another county?
