In the past, when you became a land surveyor in Montana, you would be issued the corresponding seal by the state government. That is no longer the case though. Instead, you’ll have to purchase your Montana land surveyor seal from a company that specializes in manufacturing them. Reading the following would be a good idea before placing your order though. Even though they only cost about $25 and embosser seals can be as little as $45, you don’t want to waste your time and money for no reason.
Size of the Montana land surveyor seal
The size of your Montana land surveyor seal should be 1-5/8" in diameter, if you decided to opt for either the embossing seal or the rubber stamp version. If you decided on the pocket seal, it should still be 1 5/8 inches. Desk seals must be two inches.
Montana Land Surveyor Seal and the Licensee’s Name
The Montana land surveyor seal must display the name of the licensee. Their license number and some version of the following must also be visible:
- Licensed Professional Engineer
- Licensed Professional Land Surveyor
- Licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor
If necessary, the seal’s size can be reduced in size down to half.
Using Facsimiles
Even after a licensee has received their Montana land surveyor seal, they may, at times, want to use a facsimile in order to prepare documents. This is only allowed, though, if it happens under the supervision of a licensee. It's required, however, that the licensee must provide a legible signature to all final original drawings with either the seal or an electronic reproducible facsimile.
Signature Qualifications
In order to qualify, the signature you provide with your Montana land surveyor seal must be an original and done manually. The only exception is if it’s a digital signature which has been authenticated electronically.
Your signature must be unique to you and capable of verification. Digital signatures must be under your sole control in order to qualify and linked to a document in such a way that it would be invalidated if anything about it was changed after the seal had been applied.
As you can see, the integrity of your Montana land surveyor seal is an important issue, but one that is also pretty straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current Montana land surveyor seal requirements?
Your Montana land surveyor seal must include the licensee’s name, license number, and one of the required professional titles, such as “Licensed Professional Land Surveyor.” The seal must also meet the correct size requirement: 1-5/8" in diameter for a pocket seal, embossing seal, or rubber stamp, and 2" for a desk seal.
How big does a Montana land surveyor seal need to be?
For most Montana land surveyor seals, the required size is 1-5/8 inches in diameter. This applies to pocket seals, embossing seals, and rubber stamp versions. If you choose a desk seal, it must be 2 inches in diameter.
What information must appear on a Montana surveyor stamp?
A compliant Montana surveyor stamp should show the licensee’s name, license number, and the proper title designation. Accepted title wording includes “Licensed Professional Engineer,” “Licensed Professional Land Surveyor,” or “Licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor.”
Can I use a facsimile seal or electronic seal in Montana?
Yes, but only in specific situations. A facsimile may be used when preparing documents under the supervision of a licensee. For final original drawings, a legible signature is still required, along with either the seal or an electronic reproducible facsimile.
Does my signature have to be original on Montana land surveyor documents?
Yes, your signature must be original and manually signed unless you are using a digital signature that has been electronically authenticated. The digital signature must be unique to you, under your sole control, and linked to the document so any change after sealing invalidates it.
What happens if my Montana land surveyor seal is not compliant?
A noncompliant seal can lead to document rejection, filing delays, and potential legal or professional issues. Even small mistakes—such as the wrong size, missing license number, or incorrect title wording—can cause costly setbacks when submitting plats or survey documents.
