Posted by Alz on 9/10/10 3:04pm
Msg #352197

Since we are talking about IDs, etc. - I have

a question. What is the policy or law for the notary's signature versus what is on their stamp/seal? For example, the stamp says "John Marshall Doe", but the signature is "John M. Doe".

Any comments or feedback would be appreciated, as a collegue and I have had a serious debate about this.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/10/10 3:11pm
Msg #352198

Here is what the Virginia notary public application says underneath the signature line:

(This signature must match the name on line 1 of this application and must be used in signing ALL notarized documents.)

Reply by Alz on 9/10/10 3:26pm
Msg #352199

In the CA notary Handbook

on page 7, the discussion is about the Notary Public Seal, but not so much the signature.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/10/10 3:26pm
Msg #352200

Every state is different...

In California, the signature you use on your application is the one that you must always use for notarizations. It does not necessarily have the match the name on your commission.

For example, if your commission was issued as J. Doe, but you signed your application "Jane Doe" -- that's fine, but you must always use the signature. So you couldn't later change your signature to "J. Doe" because you felt like it.

Personally, I think it's a good idea to make sure that your notary signature match your commission as it is issued, but that's just a personal opinion.

A lot of notaries in California use an official notary signature that is different from their legal signature, which is perfectly okay. It just has to match the one on your application, because that's the the county and the Sec. of State use to authenticate your signature, especially for things like apostilles.

Reply by Alz on 9/10/10 3:32pm
Msg #352201

Thanks Marian. I too think that

"it's a good idea to make sure that your notary signature match your commission as it is issued", but my colleague and I have a difference of opinions.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 9/10/10 3:52pm
Msg #352205

Re: Thanks Marian. I too think that

My stamp matches my commission, so I sign exactly the way it stamps.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 9/10/10 7:00pm
Msg #352231

Re: Thanks Marian. I too think that

Commission, stamp, signature, all the same.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 9/10/10 7:01pm
Msg #352232

Commission, stamp, signature all the same. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/10/10 8:51pm
Msg #352243

Ditto. n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/10/10 3:53pm
Msg #352206

In FL

"You may only be commissioned in your legal name (or a nickname of your legal name).
Example: John Quinton Public could be commissioned in the names:

John Quinton Public
John Q. Public
J. Quinton Public
J. Q. Public
Johnny Public

You must sign notarial certificates in your commissioned name, and your notary seal
must bear that name. No variation from the commissioned name is permitted."

http://www.flgov.com/pdfs/ref_manual1-10.pdf

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 9/10/10 3:53pm
Msg #352207

The Notary's signature MUST match name on Seal n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/10/10 4:12pm
Msg #352209

Re: The Notary's signature MUST match name on Seal

Where do you get that information?

That's *not* true according to the application form itself:

You can choose the way your commission reads, and you signature. Nowhere does it say that must match.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/forms/notary_app.pdf

Reply by James Dawson on 9/10/10 4:15pm
Msg #352210

Marian, you beat me to it..good! n/m

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 9/10/10 4:42pm
Msg #352212

Re: I stand corrected.......

I was presuming that an applicant would have the name on application on the Notarial Seal.
I was wrong to presume that one would order a seal in the name on their application.
What was I thinking...

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/10/10 4:43pm
Msg #352214

Re: I stand corrected.......

I think you're right about that, but it's the signature we're talking about. That could be slightly different.

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 9/10/10 4:45pm
Msg #352215

Re: I stand corrected.......True n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/10/10 4:42pm
Msg #352213

Re: The Notary's signature MUST match name on Seal

I agree. I remember this coming up for discussion here before. I also remember hearing from somewhere that the signature has to match how it was on the loan application, since that is the signature that is on file, as you said. But I couldn't find that anywhere in the current handbook. I think I may have heard it from the proctors who received the applications and walked us through the completion of the applications just before taking the exams. Could that have also been on the application form itself? I don't have one handy to look at.

It certainly makes sense to me, though, especially when you consider the potential processing of an Apostille.

Reply by James Dawson on 9/10/10 4:49pm
Msg #352216

Re: The Notary's signature MUST match name on Seal

I wish it wasn't true, I hate spelling out my middle name fifty-thousand times. When I come up for renewal, I will be putting in just my middle initial if that's allowed.

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 9/10/10 5:02pm
Msg #352217

So, James - you ordered the seal to match the name on your..

application?
In my original response, I was presuming all Notaries ordered a seal in the name used on the application, as you did.
But they don't have to...that is the difference.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/10/10 5:13pm
Msg #352218

Well, there are TWO names on your application...

There's your full legal name, which goes in part 4... that's required to apply.

But, if you look toward the bottom, there's the name that you want on your commission... line 18:

"Type or print your name exactly as you want it on your commission. The first and middle names listed may include initials; however, a full last name is required. Also, titles or quotes are not acceptable. Note: You will be required to present identification to the county clerk when you file your oath and bond. The identification must substantially match the requested official notary public name."

A lot of notaries only use initials on their commission with their last name. They have various reasons for that.

Finally, the signature is not necessarily your legal signature on your ID nor your full name as on the application or your commission... it's the signature that you'll use to notarize. It would make sense that the signature match the name on your commission (line 18)... but it's not required.

Reply by James Dawson on 9/10/10 5:30pm
Msg #352219

Yes I did.. there are 59 of us with same 1st & last name n/m

Reply by James Dawson on 9/10/10 5:32pm
Msg #352220

two of us go to the same Dr and Pharmacy! n/m

Reply by kathy/ca on 9/10/10 9:08pm
Msg #352251

I used to use my full name, 1st, middle and last, all spell

out. I couldnt wait to come up for my renewal, now its just a shorter version of my first name and full last name.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/10/10 8:50pm
Msg #352242

I'm finding some humor on this one. CA notaries make a big

deal of the signers ID has to match the signature, but the notaries signature doesn't have to match the seal or commission. What the H#$L???? This is too funny. LOL

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/10/10 11:19pm
Msg #352271

You're talking apples and oranges n/m

Reply by rengel/CA on 9/10/10 5:54pm
Msg #352221

My stamp has...

Jane Jones Doe. My California commission has Jane Jones Doe.

My signature is J. Doe.

As long as my signature on the ack/jurat matches my signature on my application, it is legal. Per the SOS.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/10/10 9:01pm
Msg #352247

In Oregon, sig must match name on commission and seal.

Seal will match commission name. Docs won't record if seal and sig don't match.

Reply by Larry/Ca on 9/11/10 12:08am
Msg #352277

Don't they record the unintelligible.....

scribble in your area. I myself have that kind of signature. It doesn't match any printed name. I can't imagine a recorder rejecting this.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/11/10 1:16am
Msg #352279

Don't know, Larry. I suppose they would. I just follow

the law, and as it happens, my signature is fairly legible. I purposefully elected not to include my MI because it's not a part of my signature...my hand just won't put that "A" in it.

Reply by TulsaNotary on 9/10/10 7:28pm
Msg #352236

Good question. My signature looks nothing like my name, but it is the one that I use on everything requiring my signature. I have to constantly keep checking it because it tends to degenerate after time. What once was my full first and last name has become a *Phy... illegible* blip. I have managed to keep it pretty much the same since 2003. I try extra hard on notarial certificates to make sure that it looks now as it did then.

Reply by OR on 9/10/10 9:56pm
Msg #352258

Re: Didn't a notary for CITI get into some hot water

I know this is a little different then the question posed. However didn't a notary for CITI get into some hot water for changing his signature over the course of a few years. I think I read that a few months ago. He changed it from full name... to an abbreviated first with a full last name....then to just 2 initials. I think the article posed the question...what if someone in foreclosure found out could they a free home...something like that. I the article said he had to go back and fix the mess. I just gleaned the article did not read it all. But it bears repeating. Susan is correct in Oregon the signature has to match name on seal. I do not think I would want to very it because it could become a problem further down the road. JMO


JoAnn Baracosa
Simple Solutions Notary Service

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/11/10 1:20am
Msg #352280

Good example, JoAnn, I missed that article. n/m

Reply by roxierox/TX on 9/11/10 5:42am
Msg #352285

The signature must be as it appears on the notary stamp. Just like the signers must sign their name as it appears on the docs.

Reply by Cari on 9/11/10 1:00pm
Msg #352319

Read your handbook dude... n/m