California Notary Stamp and Seal Requirements (2026): What It Must Show, How to Use It, and Who Owns It

Required on every act

An official seal on all official acts.

“A notary public shall provide and keep an official seal, which shall clearly show, when embossed, stamped, impressed or affixed to a document, the name of the notary, the State Seal, the words “Notary Public,” and the name of the county wherein the bond and oath of office are filed, and the date the notary public’s commission expires.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

“The notary public shall authenticate with the official seal all official acts.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

ID numbers

Your commission number and the manufacturer or vendor number.

“The seal of every notary public commissioned on or after January 1, 1992, shall contain the sequential identification number assigned to the notary and the sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Size and shape

Circular up to 2 inches, or rectangular up to 1 x 2.5 inches, with a serrated or milled edge.

“The seal may be circular not over two inches in diameter, or may be a rectangular form of not more than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length, with a serrated or milled edged border, and shall contain the information required by this section.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Authorized vendors only

Seals can only be made or sold with Secretary of State authorization.

“(a) No notary seal or press stamp shall be manufactured, duplicated, sold, or offered for sale unless authorized by the Secretary of State.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Photographically reproducible

Which is why the inked rubber stamp is almost universal; an embosser can be added.

“Because of the legal requirement that the seal be photographically reproducible, the rubber stamp seal is almost universal. However, notaries may use an embosser seal in addition to the rubber stamp.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Placement

Keep it clear and off signatures and printed text, or the recorder may reject the document.

“The seal should not be placed over signatures or over any printed matter on the document. An illegible or improperly placed seal may result in rejection of the document for recordation and result in inconveniences and extra expenses for all those involved.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Notarial use only

Never use the seal or the title for anything else.

“A notary public shall not use the official notarial seal except for the purpose of carrying out the duties and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Locked and under your control

Failing to secure it can cost you the commission.

“The seal shall be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary. Failure to secure the seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take administrative action against the commission held by the notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

It's yours, not your employer's

Even if the employer paid for it.

“The official seal of a notary public is the exclusive property of that notary public, and shall not be surrendered to an employer upon the termination of employment, whether or not the employer paid for the seal, or to any other person.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

Willful failure is a crime

A misdemeanor.

“A notary public is guilty of a misdemeanor if the notary public willfully fails to keep the notary public seal under the notary public’s direct and exclusive control or if the notary public willfully surrenders the notary public’s seal to any person not authorized to possess it.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)

When the commission ends

Destroy or deface the seal.

“The notary, or his or her representative, shall destroy or deface the seal upon termination, resignation, or revocation of the notary’s commission.”

Source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (reprints the Government Code)