Posted by chucke/fl on 8/12/10 6:50pm
Msg #348747

Lost Notary Stamp

I need help, I think I have lost my notary stamp and I have documents for a signing in the morning. What options do I have? Please advise.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 8/12/10 7:03pm
Msg #348750

Go to your local Staples or Office Depot

They can usually make up a new stamp on the spot.

But you also need to either find your old stamp or make a police report, and send a copy of it to the Governor's office.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/12/10 7:43pm
Msg #348753

Police report only if stamp is stolen

And even then it doesn't say "must"..says "should" report to police

Page 9 of the manual http://www.flgov.com/pdfs/ref_manual1-10.pdf

"If your notary seal is lost, misplaced, or stolen, you are required to notify the Department of
State (or the Governor’s Notary Section) in writing. You should include your commission
name and number, date of birth, and the last date the seal was in your possession.
Additionally, if your seal was stolen, you should file a report with your local law
enforcement agency."

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 8/12/10 8:05pm
Msg #348754

Fla. Stat. 117.05(3)(d)

"(d) A notary public whose official seal is lost, stolen, or believed to be in the possession of another person shall immediately notify the Department of State or the Governor in writing. "

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/12/10 8:29pm
Msg #348757

Yes....IF it's been stolen...if merely lost....why? n/m

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 8/12/10 8:05pm
Msg #348755

Police report optional but certainly a good idea n/m

Reply by chucke/fl on 8/12/10 8:44pm
Msg #348761

Re: Police report optional but certainly a good idea

Ok, I feel that I have misplaced it, and not that it is stolen. So, if I notify the State, will I have to wait to get a new seal or what?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/13/10 5:21am
Msg #348778

Re: Police report optional but certainly a good idea

Have you checked with the last person you notarized for? I once left my stamp at someone's home after a loan signing. I did not discover it until I was at the next loan signing. Luckily I had a second stamp that I could use. Did the borrowers call me to let me know that I had left my stamp at their home? NO! But I retrieved it and all was well, except I felt really stupid for leaving it there in the first place!

Reply by PAW on 8/13/10 9:59am
Msg #348822

Re: Police report optional but certainly a good idea

You do not need to wait. However, if the State issues you a new commission number, then it obviously would require a new stamp be made. Other than that, FL does not restrict the notary on how many stamps you can have or who to order from. Just ensure that the requirements as set forth in the FS 117.05(3)(a) are met.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/13/10 12:10am
Msg #348773

So, in FL, "should" shouldn't be construed for Best

Practice at least?

"Should" was a powerful admonition when I was growing up. If my mother said I "should" mind something, and my grandmother, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends reinforced that lesson, and the rest of the community considered it a norm of our ethos, as did our municipal laws and regulations, our state laws and regulations, and our country's laws and regulations - "Should" became a must, as a value, a personal commitment to Best Practices.

It's different here in Oregon: Lost stamps may only be obtained with a re-issuance of a Commission Number, indicating a duplicate stamp. I'd be out of luck for a few days most likely, but I would have asked our SOS's Notary Department to fax the authorization to NotRot for the most expeditious replacement.

Reply by Carole Breckbill on 8/13/10 7:09am
Msg #348779

Re: So, in FL, "should" shouldn't be construed for Best

You might be able to get by with an embosser, and then print your name, Notary Public, My Commission Expires ....... on the documents in lieu of a stamp.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/13/10 7:23am
Msg #348782

No way, Carole. FL has strict requirements for a notary seal n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/13/10 7:30am
Msg #348783

No Carole, that's won't work... n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/13/10 5:29pm
Msg #348882

Thanks, Carole, (If your comment is in response to my post,)

but that wouldn't work either, as an embosser can only be used in conjunction with a stamp in OR.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/13/10 7:17am
Msg #348780

No Susan...not just FL - nationwide...

should be done does not mean it is mandatory...yes it's a good idea..but not necessary unless the stamp has been stolen.

And I was responding to the second poster who said "you also need to either find your old stamp or make a police report, and send a copy of it to the Governor's office."

No, he does not *need* to make a police report.

Reply by Riley/FL on 8/13/10 7:30am
Msg #348784

Re: No Susan...not just FL - nationwide...

In Government speak, "shall" is mandatory, "should" is recommended although not required.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/13/10 5:38pm
Msg #348884

I understand your point, but mine was about Best Practices.

Personally, I think making a police report, at least in my area, is a great idea.

Reply by Cari on 8/13/10 7:44am
Msg #348788

check under car seat...found one of my two there...;) n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/14/10 6:01am
Msg #348937

truly lost = potentially found and THEN stolen/used

I'd want my behind covered in as many ways as possible with that. Doesn't cost a dime to file a police report, and I really think I'd want that record & in a timely fashion.