Notary Seal vs Notary Stamp: What They Are and Whether New York Requires One

If you have ever had something notarized, you have seen the ink mark next to the notary’s signature. Some people call it a notary seal, some call it a notary stamp, and plenty of people assume every notary in the country is required to use one. That last part is not true, and New York is the best example.

Here is what a notary seal is, what goes on a notary public stamp, which states require one, and what a New York notary uses instead.

Notary seal vs notary stamp: the short answer

A notary seal is the official mark a notary public uses to authenticate a notarial act. A notary stamp is the most common tool for making that mark: a self-inking rubber stamp that prints the notary’s details in ink.

The older form of seal is an embosser, a hand press that squeezes a raised impression into the paper. Embossed seals look official, but they do not show up on photocopies or scans. That is why most states that require a seal now require one that is photographically reproducible, and why the inked stamp became the standard.

So in everyday use, notary seal, notary stamp, notary public stamp and notary public seal all describe the same thing: the notary’s official mark.

What a notary public stamp shows

The exact layout depends on the state, but a notary public stamp almost always carries:

• The notary’s name, exactly as it appears on their commission
• The words Notary Public and the name of the state
• The commission expiration date
• A commission or registration number, where the state assigns one
• In some states, the county, the state seal or a required border

States that require a seal usually spell out its size, shape and contents. Texas, for example, requires a seal showing the words Notary Public, State of Texas around a five-pointed star, the notary’s name and the commission expiration date. California requires the state seal, the notary’s name, the county where the oath and bond are filed and the expiration date.

Does New York require a notary seal?

No. New York is one of the states that does not require its notaries to use a seal.

Instead, New York Executive Law section 137 requires the notary to print, type or stamp in black ink, beneath their signature:

• The notary’s name
• The words Notary Public State of New York
• The name of the county where the notary originally qualified
• The date the commission expires

Notaries who qualified or filed in a county within New York City must also add their official number. And the law is forgiving about mistakes: an official act is not invalid just because this information was left off, although a notary who willfully ignores the rule can be disciplined by the Secretary of State.

Why New York notaries still use a stamp

If the seal is optional, why does nearly every New York notary carry one? Two practical reasons.

It is the easiest way to get the required information right every time. Typing or handwriting four or five lines under every signature invites mistakes. A stamp prints them the same way on every document.

Out-of-state offices expect one. Banks, title companies and agencies in seal-required states sometimes question a notarization that has no stamp, even though it is perfectly valid in New York. A clear stamp avoids the back and forth.

Seals for online notarization

Remote online notarization does not use rubber at all. The notary attaches their name, title, county and commission details electronically, along with a digital signature that makes any later change to the document detectable. The result does the same job as an inked stamp on paper. In New York, electronic notarization has been authorized since 2023 under Executive Law section 135-c.

What a seal does not do

A notary stamp proves who notarized the document and that they held a commission. It does not mean the notary read, approved or verified the contents, and it does not make a document legally binding on its own. A notary’s job is to confirm the signer’s identity and willingness, not to vouch for what the document says. For more on that, see what a notary actually does.

Frequently asked questions

Is a notary seal the same as a notary stamp?

Mostly, yes. The seal is the official mark a notary uses to authenticate a notarial act. Today that mark is usually made with an inked rubber stamp, so people use notary seal and notary stamp interchangeably. An embosser that presses a raised impression into the paper is the older form of seal.

Does New York require a notary seal?

No. New York does not require a notary public to use a seal. Under Executive Law section 137, a New York notary must instead print, type or stamp in black ink beneath their signature their name, the words Notary Public State of New York, the county where they originally qualified, and the commission expiration date.

Is a New York notarization valid without a stamp?

Yes, as long as the required information appears on the certificate. Most New York notaries still use a stamp because it prints that information cleanly and consistently, and because offices in other states often expect to see one.

What should be on a New York notary stamp?

The notary name as commissioned, Notary Public State of New York, the county of original qualification, and the commission expiration date. Notaries who qualified or filed in a New York City county must also include their official number, and most stamps also show the registration number.

Do online notarizations use a seal?

Yes, in electronic form. During a remote online notarization the notary attaches their name, title, county and commission details electronically to the document, along with a digital signature.

Can anyone buy a notary stamp?

Rules vary by state. Some states, such as California, control who can manufacture notary seals and require authorization from the state before a seal is made. A stamp alone does not make anyone a notary; only a state commission does.

Related reading

• What is a notary? A plain-English guide
• How much does a notary cost in New York?
• Acknowledgment vs jurat
• What makes a notarization invalid?
• How to become a notary in New York

This is general information, not legal advice. NotarEaseNYC is a New York notary practice, not a law firm, and is not affiliated with any state agency. Rules and fees change; always confirm current requirements with the official state office named above.