Notarial Seal and Stamp
It is the responsibility of the notary to obtain and keep an official seal upon being commissioned. The State does not provide the seal. They may be purchased from most stationery, stamp, or office supply stores.
Montana statute requires the notary’s seal to bear:
- The Notary’s Name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Commission
- The words, State of Montana
- The words, Notarial Seal or Notary Public
The law does not specify the size, shape, or type of seal that is required. A notary may use either a crimper-type or an ink-type seal; it is a matter of personal preference. Many people prefer the embosser because it looks more official; however, with the increased use of electronic transmission of documents, the ink-type offers a higher degree of legibility when documents are faxed or copied frequently.
In addition to the official seal, many notaries choose to have a stamp made which contains most of the information required below the notary’s signature in a notarial block. This information includes:
- The notary’s printed name
- The title, Notary Public for the State of Montana
- The words, Residing at (the city/town where the notary lives)
- And, My commission expires (the month/day/four digit year)
Below are some examples of acceptable seals, stamps, and combination seal/stamps. If you are unsure about whether a particular configuration is proper, call the Notary Section of Secretary of State Brad Johnson’s Office at (406) 444- 5379.
These illustrations are meant only as examples. Montana statutes do not specify requirements other than those stated above.
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