How To Fix A Bad Notary Seal Impression
By Kelle Clarke on October 29, 2014 in Best Practices
Updated 4-6-20. Notaries often ask how they can fix a bad seal impression if the ink smears or doesn't show up clearly during a notarization. While illegible Notary seal impressions are a common reason for document rejection, fixing the problem can be simple.
Affixing A Second Notary Seal
If your Notary seal should get smudged, be administered too lightly, or come out unevenly inked, simply affix a second seal near, but not over, the first one. Make sure it is readable and able to be photocopied. In doing so, make sure not to cover or obscure any other text or images on the document.
If space is tight, you may turn your seal sideways. However, avoid affixing a sideways seal in the margins of a document, particularly if it is a real property document that must be recorded.
Attaching A Separate Or Loose Notary Certificate
If there is no room to affix a second seal impression, you should attach a completed separate Notary certificate (also known as a loose Notary certificate) with a proper seal impression. If you have to attach a loose certificate, remember to put a line through the previous notarial wording and include a note: “See attached certificate.”
The error some Notaries make when fixing a bad impression is attempting to repair the initial impression using some other method, such as pen and ink, or attempting to cross out a smudged image. However, any sort of “tampering” with a seal is not allowed, and could cause the document to be rejected.
Notary Seal Tip
Before affixing your seal, do a practice run. Making sample impressions on a scrap piece of paper will let you know how much ink to use and how hard to press when affixing the seal. Be sure to destroy your “practice” seal impressions immediately after doing this.
Kelle Clarke is a Contributing Editor with the National Notary Association.