Required Seal Elements

Your notary seal is more than just a stamp—it's your official mark of authority. Every time you affix your seal to a document, you're vouching that you properly performed the notarial act. For this reason, California law mandates that every seal contain specific elements that identify you, your authority, and how to verify your credentials.

Missing just one required element can render your notarizations invalid and expose you to liability. This section covers exactly what must appear on your seal and why.

The Seven Mandatory Elements

California Government Code Section 8207 requires every notary seal to contain ALL of the following elements. No exceptions.

1. "Notary Public"

These exact words must appear prominently on your seal, clearly identifying your role.

2. "State of California" or the Great Seal

Your seal must include either:

• The words "State of California"
• The Great Seal of the State of California (the official state emblem)

Most seals use the text version for clarity and space efficiency.

3. Your Name (Exactly as Commissioned)

This is critically important and frequently tested:

The name on your seal must match your commission certificate EXACTLY:

• Include middle names or initials if on your commission
• Include suffixes (Jr., Sr., III) if on your commission
• Nicknames are never acceptable unless officially on your commission
• Even a minor variation can invalidate your seal

Real-World Example: A notary named "Elizabeth Anne Thompson" on her commission cannot use "Beth Thompson" or even "Elizabeth Thompson" on her seal. The middle name "Anne" must be included.

4. County of Your Principal Place of Business

Your seal must show the county where you primarily perform notarial acts.

Key Points:

• This must be a California county
• It should match where you filed your oath and bond
• If you move to a different county, you need a new seal
• You can still perform notarizations in other counties—your principal place of business just determines which county appears on your seal

5. Your Commission Number

Every California notary receives a unique commission number when appointed. This number:

• Appears on your commission certificate
• Must appear on your seal exactly as issued
• Allows others to verify your commission with the Secretary of State
• Stays with you for your entire 4-year term

6. Commission Expiration Date

Your seal must show when your commission expires. This serves two purposes:

• Helps document recipients verify your authority was valid at the time of notarization
• Prevents accidental use of an expired seal

7. Manufacturer's Sequential Identification Number

California requires a unique tracking number assigned by the seal manufacturer. This:

• Helps track the source of seals
• Aids in investigations if a seal is misused
• Is assigned by the seal vendor, not by you
• Must be present on every seal sold in California

Why These Elements Matter

Every required element serves a public protection purpose:

Common Seal Mistakes to Avoid

Getting Your Seal

When ordering your notary seal:

1. Use an authorized vendor - Ensure they provide the manufacturer ID
2. Verify every element - Check your commission certificate for exact information
3. Review before using - Confirm all elements are correct before your first notarization

On the Exam

Expect 2-3 questions on required seal elements. Key points tested:

• Seven elements required: All must be present—count them
• Name matching: Must match commission EXACTLY (most common question)
• County: Principal place of business, not where you notarize
• Manufacturer ID: Required—don't forget this unique California requirement
• Missing elements: Any missing element = invalid seal