Posted by Jack Greenberg, Notary Public - AAA Mobile Notary Services on 10/17/05 12:51am
Msg #70880

Embossers

For as long as I can remember, in the past before I became a notary myself, all notarizations that I had done, I always remember the Notary use the embossing stamp on the paper. I was always somewhat impressed by this, and had always assumed it was a legal requirement which lent itself to the authenticity of the notary act itself, and had much to do with the notarized document in making it officially notarized. But since I have become a new notary just last month, (I live in California), I notice that it does not seem to be a requirement to notarize documents. Therefore, was it necessary at one time, and did the state of California feel they were no longer needed or what? I am just curious since I thought I would be ordering one of those too with the other supplies to get started. Even though I see they are still offered in most notary supply vendors, what is the official stance or position of California when it comes to whether you use an embosser or not?

Reply by Art_MD on 10/17/05 7:48am
Msg #70885

Page 6 of the handbook addresses this issue. In a nutshell, you don't need an embosser. It says an embosser may be used in addition to a rubber stamp. Unless you want to make something "look" official, save the $$$.

Art

Reply by Charles_CA on 10/17/05 10:48am
Msg #70918

Greetings Jack and welcome aboard. I still use an embosser when I or the costomer wants something fancy. I do weddings and I believe that the embosser over a piece of gold foil with a ribbon lends some gravity to an otherwise plain document. California requires that the seal be photographically reproducible and with an embosser that requires the use of an inker. The inker is a round ink pad that one touches to the embossed surface to transfer ink to the highspots. Using the inker can be a messy proposition and often the inker does not transfer properly or the embosser does not emboss completely and then you have to do the whole thing over again. Unless you have a specific reason to use an embosser I'd just stick with the stamp. I keep my embosser in my safe and it sits there for weeks and even months at a time.

Reply by Charm_AL on 10/17/05 10:58am
Msg #70921

the embosser is required by law in Alabama....got a real strong right hand

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/17/05 11:24am
Msg #70930

Re: Embossers - Charm

You sre so right on the strong hand!
I always used an embosser in conjunction with my seal, but since I developed RA I am no longer able to use the embosser. I have no strength in my hands.

Reply by Mitch_MD on 10/17/05 11:56am
Msg #70934

Re: Embossers - Sylvia

Then don't rely on your hand strength. I had both carpal and cubital surgery done to my right arm many years ago, making it much weaker than it used to be, and I found the hand powered embossers agonizing to deal with at the signing table. I now use the "Portable Desk notary seal Embosser" from the NNA website (it's small enough to put in my briefcase) and simply use my body weight to make the imprint.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/17/05 1:32pm
Msg #70945

Re: Embossers - Sylvia

Thanks Mitch, but as the embossers are not really required, then I am not concerned about buying another one. Appreciate your message though

Reply by TitleGalCA on 10/17/05 10:10pm
Msg #71004

In California, I rarely if ever see embossing stamps, and I handle a lot of documents on a daily basis. The few times I have, they definitely look quite official, and pretty nice.

I expect they would be expensive though (the gold foil) so as Charles said, I'd save the stamp for special occasions.