Keeping Notary Seals Secure

The misuse of Notary seals occurs too often. A Notary seal is a recognized symbol of authority, almost like an officer’s badge, and Notaries cannot allow it to be borrowed or stolen by anyone, under any circumstances. Whether through negligence or as an intentional act, a Notary who allows someone else to use the seal could be liable for any monetary damages resulting from its use. The Notary may also face civil or even criminal penalties for notarial misconduct.

There are two fundamental points to remember about Notary seals. On the one hand, the seal is a commissioned public official tool and is to be used for official acts by the Notary named on it. And on the other hand, each seal belongs to the Notary to whom it was issued and may only be used by that Notary. In addition, the Notary has a solemn duty to protect the seal from misuse by others.

Far too many Notaries take the security of their Notary seals much too lightly. Recently, there was a Notary malpractice trial in which the court awarded more than $150,000 to the plaintiff because of a forged notarization. The careless Notary had left his seal in an unlocked desk drawer in an office at his place of work. The Notary mistakenly thought this would reduce his responsibility when he claimed that someone stole and forged the document in question. The Notary was wrong.

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