Posted by Marian_in_CA on 2/24/10 3:34pm
Msg #324130

I jsut got the funniest phone call...

From a COUNTY CLERK's office in northern CA! They wanted to call and make sure I was using a "legitimate" seal on a document that I notarized.

About 2 weeks ago, I notarized an application for a birth certificate -- and that day I forgot to grab my nice Brother, black rectangle seal. However, I did have my round one with purple ink (purchased right here from NotRot) so no problem.

The Clerk said, "We've never seen a round, purple notary seal before. It looks a lot like the county clerk's seal...can you not use that anymore?" They actually went to the trouble of calling the LA County Clerk and verifying me, and getting my phone number. I couldn't help but laugh.

A lot of people like the round, purple seal... it's a psychological thing that makes them "feel" like it's more legit than the standard black rectangle. It makes absolutely no difference, except for looks. I often use it on certain types of documents, including birth certificate requests.

What a waste of tax payer money to track me down and tell me to do something I'm perfectly okay doing.

Reply by rengel/CA on 2/24/10 4:54pm
Msg #324145

I think my reply would have been to suggest she contact her legislator and have them enact a law banning round, purple ink stamps. Until that time, I would keep using my round, purple ink stamp! But then, I am sort of a rebel ; )
BTW, I use a round stamp (black ink) whenever I can, as long as it fits in the space, it just 'looks' more official to me. Any my customers love it!

My .02

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/24/10 5:02pm
Msg #324148

Oddly enough... as much of a stickler as I am for rules... I'm all about being a rebel. people are just so used to the black rectangle now, it's always a pleasant surprise when I pull out the purple. Most of them say something like, "Wow, that's looks cool!"

The only issue I have with it is that I have to wiggle it and let the ink seep a bit before letting the stamper up... otherwise the impression isn't dark enough to be properly photocopied so as to be legible.

Reply by rengel/CA on 2/24/10 5:10pm
Msg #324151

As much of a rebel as I am, I too, believe there are times when the rules or laws must be adhered to. Notary law is law, not to be taken lightly. The rules of the road when driving make life much easier on all of us on the road.

But when you know the laws/rules inside and out, you also know when and where you can rebel against "da man" and have some wiggle room.

Again, my .02

Reply by Les_CO on 2/24/10 5:43pm
Msg #324159

I normally use a larger round seal with blue ink. I have a smaller rectangular black ink seal that I use in small spaces, or where required. I find the large blue seal really stands out.

Reply by Julie/MI on 2/25/10 8:10am
Msg #324220

New button for you CA notaries

Just Politics Leisure Just CA Notaries

You folks sure have a lot to talk about! LOL