Posted by DellaCA on 1/27/05 12:12am
Msg #18330

Embosser

I can not find the answer to the question I have. I did ask NNA but that was no help. When using an embosser where do you use it on a doc. or other form? Do you have to use it on a clear space or can it go on wording? Most of the time there is so little room for your seal let alone anything else. I'm guessing it can go over wording since there is no ink involved.
Thanks Della

Reply by Stacy/CA on 1/27/05 12:52am
Msg #18333

When I asked the NNA questions regarding the embosser, the gentleman I spoke with stated it should be done on a clear space on the document.

Reply by jfcwilliams on 1/27/05 7:56am
Msg #18360

This information was printed in issues # 20 of the NNA updates news letter that I got on 1/27/2005. Hope this is helpful.

You have a document in front of you that's ready to be notarized. Everything is perfect — there are no blank spaces, the appropriate notarial wording is preprinted on the last page, the signer is in front of you with proper ID — but there's no room for your seal. "Oh no," you think. "What should I do now? Should I just not stamp it? Maybe no one will notice."

ANSWER: First off, someone will notice. Second, there's nearly always a place for your seal. Start by looking at the margins of the document. Often, it is possible to affix a rectangular seal "on end" vertically to fit in a margin. As long as the seal does not obscure any text on the document, it doesn't matter if it is affixed off to the side. If there is no room for your seal, then it would be appropriate to attach a loose certificate with appropriate wording. You may line through the preprinted notarial wording, write "See Attached Certificate" and then complete the loose certificate.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 1/27/05 9:17am
Msg #18373

Word of caution here. For mortgages, DOTs, other recordable documents, there may be a margin requirement established by the recording agency. If that is the case, you cannot stamp you seal in the margin. Unfortunately, we don't know what, if any, margins are required for recording, so my rule of thumb is that the seal must be placed somewhere with the "text boundaries" of the document. That is, the stamp should not extend into the margins any further than any text within the document.

Reply by DellaCA on 1/27/05 9:47am
Msg #18377

Re: Embosser still not clear

Thanks but I guess I was not clear I am asking about using the embosser not my seal. I do knot where the seal goes
Anyone else have an answer?Anyone use one and what would you do??
Stacy when I asked nna they said on the line or near it where your seal goes I'm not sure what they meant I would not emboss over my seal!

Reply by jfcwilliams on 1/27/05 10:00am
Msg #18381

Re: Embosser still not clear

The imprint that is made on the document is your seal. Its call an embosser because the seal has a raised surface.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/27/05 10:09am
Msg #18382

Re: Embosser still not clear

Thank You jfc I know what an embosser is . Thanks for your help.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 1/27/05 12:44pm
Msg #18425

Re: Embosser still not clear - My ROT

The Rule Of Thumb that I have always subscribed to, is that NOTHING goes in the margins. No initials, no stamps, no embossing, no nothing. I wouldn't want to take the slightest chance of having a document rejected by the clerk because something was in the margin.

Reply by Stephanie/CA on 1/27/05 3:14pm
Msg #18448

Re: Embosser still not clear Della

Hi
I use the self-inking seal by my signature for the notarization; however, if I feel I want to be extra protective against misuse of a notarial certificate, I will use my embosser on the corner of both pages to alert the receiving agency that two pages are together.
For me it is an extra step for security.
I have never used my embosser in place of my seal, but as an additional security measure.

Reply by jfcwilliams on 1/27/05 9:48am
Msg #18378

Those are not my words.... That info came from NNA...... So I guess no one has the right answer....

Reply by DellaCA on 1/27/05 9:53am
Msg #18380

Re: Embosser - jfc

Yes I saw that and Thank you but I'm not asking about the seal I'm asking about the embosser . thanks anyway

Reply by fiKS on 1/27/05 10:39am
Msg #18384

Re: Embosser - jfc

Della, the embosser can be used instead of a stamp. In Kansas, the emboser must be inked or blackened so that the seal will show in photocopies. Therefore, it needs to be placed in a blank space.

Note: Embosser or stamp - these are different types of seal.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/27/05 11:18am
Msg #18390

Re: Embosser - jfc

Thank You Fiks and yes they are .In Ca the embosser in used in addition to the ink seal ( it is an option) For security reasons for the doc.
Della

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/27/05 6:37pm
Msg #18462

Keep in mind that the NNA is known for their *inaccurate* information.

Reply by Ninna Mantooth-Lopez on 1/27/05 11:39am
Msg #18392

Della... I use both a stamp and an embosser, both optional in my state. I emboss over my name and/or stamp or as close to them as I can get each time I notarize. Even if it ends up raising other text in the document surrounding your name and/or stamp, it just doesn't matter. Since the embosser is a clear raised seal (unless you ink it afterwards, in which case you wouldn't want to place it on any text or your signature)... it shouldn't cause a problem. I, personally have never had a company have issue with it.... nor does my state.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/27/05 2:19pm
Msg #18440

Ninna That is what I was asking, Thank You.I need to call my sos to make sure with them but you have answered my question.
Brenda it is an option in Ca to use an embosser , no it would not be inked it is a back up to your seal ( rubber stamp ) for security on doc you choose to use it on to show certian pages go togeather. And can't be reproduced as new doc,s.with my seal. I know there is a better way to explain but this is the best I can do at the moment.
Paul Thanks I was wanting to know with not instead Thank you for your thoughts on the matter I would be afraid to use it over any wording also even thou it would not be inked.
I just found out my car was hit and have been dealing with the insurance so I'm a bit rattled. Thank You everyone for your comments.
Della

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/27/05 3:34pm
Msg #18452

Sorry to hear about your ordeal with the car ... hope that turns out as well as can be hoped for.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/27/05 4:33pm
Msg #18456

Thanks Paul it could have been worse for my car and wallet. Complete fender, bumper replacement $ 3000. , $200. deductable.
No one hurt thats a blessing.

What I found out is: Some of you have said this, So smart of you

The embosser can be used in an area that does not cover wording, text or signatures. Same rules as the stamp, but not required. The embosser is used as a tool to prevent fraud.
Thank You for your responses.
Della

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/27/05 6:46pm
Msg #18464

Della,
You can use the stamp or the embosser in Colorado. Before I was a SA, I always used the embosser on my legal docs and still do. For some reason, the clients were always more impressed with the embosser than the stamp. For photocopying, a secret that legal secretaries use is to lightly take a pencil on the raised impression and then take your finger and rub it. When I began signing I was forced to get a stamp, although I always use my embosser when I attach a loose certificate.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/27/05 7:35pm
Msg #18469

Thank You Carolyn I would think it would look more impressive. I was thinking of using it mainly on Notary work other than loan docs. For that reason.
thank You

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/28/05 11:16am
Msg #18553

DElla,
Since you are thinking of using the embosser more along the lines of Notary work and not loan docs, you might consider getting some of the gold seals and embossing them.

Reply by DellaCa on 1/28/05 11:44am
Msg #18559

great suggestion Carolyn this is accpeted by state?( Well I guess so or they would not be made right?)
Della

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/28/05 12:53pm
Msg #18578

Della, you might check with California SOS, but I would think that as long as the gold seal wasn't covering up any wording or signatures or other writing ...

Reply by BrendaKhan/FL on 1/27/05 11:59am
Msg #18409

Della,

Maybe I am misunderstanding your post but are you using both your seal and embosser on the same page of docs?

If that is the case are you not double sealing your notarizations?

Wouldn't just one or the other be sufficient as your seal?

Also is it required to ink your embossed seal to make it legible and legal in your state?

Sorry it seems I have more questions than answers for you! BK-FL

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/27/05 12:02pm
Msg #18412

Re: Embosser - do not use over wording

Della, the clearest information regarding this is in the notary handbook, page 6. Their description of when an embosser is used is pretty ambigous -- it may be used IN ADDITION TO the rubber stamp. To me that would imply that the embosser is never used alone (otherwise they would have said "INSTEAD OF"). However, it seems clear that the intent is that the seal, regardless of how it's applied, must be photograhically reproducible and whether or not an embossed seal is and will remain reproducible is at issue.

The handbook is quite clear, though, on the requirement that "the seal" (and here, since they don't distinguish between types of seals, they mean ANY type of seal) "should not be placed over signatures or any printed printed matter on the document." I would not use an embossed seal over the wording.

Reply by Gerry/VT on 1/27/05 3:05pm
Msg #18445

Before I became a notary, I brought a document that had been embossed by a notary to a county clerk in New York State. I don't recall the details clearly, but before accepting the document, the county clerk used a smudger to ink the seal. So even if you don't ink the image of the embosser, someone else might.

Reply by Ernest_CT on 1/27/05 8:04pm
Msg #18475

It helps to keep in mind ...

... that some people THINK that it is the embossed seal that means the document has been properly notarized. (At least in CT, the stamp and embossed seal are optional.) Many other people feel better having seen the paper embossed.

We're in the service business: The steak's taste is important, but it's the sizzle that sells.