The Powers and Duties of a Pennsylvania Notary
According to the Notary Laws of the State of Pennsylvania, notaries have some very specific duties and authorized powers. These include:
- Taking affidavits
- Making acknowledgements
- Certifying copies of documents
The road to becoming a notary, though, is very specific and you must meet all of the qualifications before you are given a commission and can use a Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal on any of the documents described above.
Becoming a Pennsylvania Notary
To become a notary in Pennsylvania means being eligible according to state law. If you are, you must make an application for a commission or appointment. This requires you have proper notary education, have taken an oath of office, supplied a surety bond of $10k, paid all necessary recording fees, and submitted your official signature to the appropriate county office. Once all of that has been done, you receive a commission and can obtain your Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal.
You must wait for your commission before purchasing the Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal because the device has to feature the official date that your current commission expires. Commissions last for four years, thus you will have to get a new Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal every time you renew the commission.
Of course, the Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal must indicate much more than your commission's expiration date. According to the state's guidelines, any Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal must adhere to the following guidelines where its appearance and use are concerned:
The Requirements for the Design of a Pennsylvania Notary Seal Stamp
A Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal must be a rubber stamp.
- It is acceptable for the Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal to be a metal embosser device, however, this cannot be used alone and must always be used in conjunction with the rubber stamp device
- The text on your Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal must feature specific phrases in the following order: "Notarial Seal", the name of the notary (as it appears on commission documents) followed by the title "Notary Public", the name of the town and county where the notary has their offices, and the date that the current commission expires
- There is no requirement for a border, i.e. a Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal can be without a graphical border
- Because there is no requirement for the state's name to appear within the text, it is acceptable for a header of "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" to be added along the top of the border
- The Pennsylvania Notary Public stamp and seal must meet size guidelines too and measure no larger than 1" in height and no more than 3.5" in length
The state rules also indicate that any seal or stamp has to be capable of photographic reproduction.
This is one of the main reasons to rely on an experienced vendor when acquiring your stamp or seal. Though a new rubber stamp is going to print clearly and legibly whenever it is used, after a longer period of use a lesser-quality device may blur. This is unprofessional and unwanted, and it is best to entrust the manufacture of your device to a firm capable of producing a durable stamp that prints clearly over the long term.
While you do need to replace your stamp or seal whenever the commission is renewed, you should not have to repeatedly reorder a new seal during the four year commission. Turn to reputable makers to ensure your job is done to perfection and with the kind of consistency it requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Pennsylvania notary public seal requirements?
A Pennsylvania notary public seal must be a rubber stamp and include specific information in the correct order: “Notarial Seal,” your name exactly as it appears on your commission, the title “Notary Public,” the name of the town and county where your office is located, and the expiration date of your current commission. It must also meet the state’s size limits and be capable of photographic reproduction.
Can I use a Pennsylvania notary embossing seal by itself?
No. A metal embosser is allowed in Pennsylvania, but it cannot be used alone. If you use an embosser, it must always be used together with the required rubber stamp seal to stay compliant with Pennsylvania notary stamp guidelines.
When should I buy my Pennsylvania notary public seal?
You should wait until your commission has been issued before purchasing your Pennsylvania notary public seal. This is because the seal must display the expiration date of your current commission. Since Pennsylvania commissions last four years, you will need a new seal each time you renew your commission.
What size can a Pennsylvania notary stamp or seal be?
A Pennsylvania notary stamp or seal cannot be larger than 1 inch in height or 3.5 inches in length. Staying within these size requirements helps ensure your seal meets Pennsylvania notary public seal requirements and avoids problems with rejected notarizations.
Does my Pennsylvania notary seal need a border or the state name?
No border is required on a Pennsylvania notary public seal. The state name also does not have to appear in the main text, although adding “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” at the top is allowed. This gives notaries some flexibility while still following PA notary stamp guidelines.
What happens if my Pennsylvania notary seal is blurry or hard to read?
If your seal is blurry, worn, or not clearly legible, it may cause rejected documents or invalid acknowledgments. Pennsylvania requires the seal to be capable of photographic reproduction, so it’s important to use a high-quality, durable stamp that prints clearly over time. If the impression becomes unclear, it should be replaced promptly to avoid costly reissuances.
