Before you can begin offering your services as a certified land surveyor in NJ, you need a seal issued by the state. In order to use the New Jersey land surveyor seal, it has to be applied with an embosser. Other states may be more flexible in this regard, but not in New Jersey. Now let’s look at some specifics of the actual seal itself.
Size and Shape of the New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal
The New Jersey land surveyor seal is circular in shape. Its diameter must be 1-1/2.” It’s an impression-type seal which is why an embosser has to be used in order to apply it to a document.
Appearance of the New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal
Inside the seal, there should be a dotted circle to match the outer perimeter. At the very top, between two stars, you’ll read, “State of New Jersey.” Then, along the bottom of the circle, it has to say, “Professional Land Surveyor.”
Within the inner circle of the seal, your name must go across the top, just below its perimeter. Below that, running alone the bottom perimeter and between two stars, it will say, “Licensed.” In the middle of the entire New Jersey land surveyor seal will be your unique license number beginning with, “No.” After that, most names will
begin with a “GS” prefix. However, this isn’t necessarily always the case, so don’t panic if yours lacks it.
Finally, the bottom of the seal will read, “Professional Land Surveyor.”
The Dual Seal
Some of you may be both land surveyors and professional engineers. In New Jersey, the land surveyor seal can be combined with the one you need as an engineer. This one is going to be 1-5/8" in diameter and the prefix most commonly used for the names is “GB.”
The bottom of the stamp will read, “Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor.” Other than these distinctions, though, the stamp is virtually identical to the typical New Jersey land surveyor seal. You also apply it the same way, with an embosser.
The New Jersey land surveyor seal is a relatively simple design, but the details still matter. Before beginning to use the one you were issued, check that the preceding description matches your seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal and why is it required?
The New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal is the official stamp that identifies a licensed professional land surveyor in New Jersey. It is required on surveying documents to show the work was prepared by a properly licensed professional, which is important for property boundaries, legal records, land development, and construction projects.
What size and shape must a New Jersey Professional Land Surveyor Seal be?
The standard New Jersey Professional Land Surveyor Seal must be circular and 1-1/2 inches in diameter. If you hold both a professional engineer and land surveyor license, the dual seal is also circular but measures 1-5/8 inches in diameter.
Which details are required on the New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal??
The seal must include “State of New Jersey” at the top, “Professional Land Surveyor” at the bottom, the surveyor’s name, the word “Licensed,” and the license number in the center. Some seals also include a “GS” prefix, but that prefix is not always required.
Do I have to use an embosser with the New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal?
Yes. In New Jersey, the land surveyor seal is an impression-type seal and must be applied with an embosser. This is different from some other states that allow more flexible seal formats.
Why do professionals need a difference between a standard NJ land surveyor seal and a dual engineer and land surveyor seal?
A standard NJ land surveyor seal is for professionals licensed only as land surveyors. A dual seal is for individuals licensed as both a professional engineer and a land surveyor. The dual seal is slightly larger and typically includes the wording “Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor.”
How can I verify that my New Jersey Land Surveyor Seal is compliant before using it?
Check that the seal matches New Jersey’s required size, shape, wording, and format before you begin using it. Make sure it includes the correct title, your name, and license number, and confirm that it is designed for embossing. Verifying compliance helps avoid rejected documents, delays, and costly mistakes on legal or construction projects.
