Missouri law requires every notary to use either an engraved embosser
seal or a black inked rubber stamp seal on every notary certificate. The
print on the embosser or stamp must be in type not smaller than eightpoint
type. The print on the engraved embosser seal should resemble the first example in the box below and must contain the same information. To
be legally recognized, the engraved embosser seal or the black inked rubber
stamp seal must contain:
- The notary’s exact name as it appears on their commission certificate;
- The assigned commission number; and
- Three phrases: “Notary Seal,” “Notary Public,” “State of Missouri.”
The notary must also type, print or have a rubber stamp in print not
smaller that eight-point type with certain information on every completed notary certificate: their exact name as it appears on their commission, “Notary Public,” “State of Missouri,” their expiration date and the county for which they are commissioned.
The notary may use a black inked rubber stamp ONLY if the seal contains the information in #1, #2 and #3 above, as well as the county for which they are commissioned and the expiration date of that commission. The Great Seal of the State of Missouri
can not be used on the notary stamp.
The notary seal is the exclusive property of the notary and the seal may not be used by any other person or surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment.
- Each notary public shall provide, keep, and use a seal which is either an engraved embosser seal or a black inked rubber stamp seal to be used on the document being notarized. The seal shall contain the notary’s name exactly as indicated on the commission and the words “Notary Seal”, “Notary Public”, and “State of Missouri” and, after August 28, 2004, the commission number assigned by the secretary of state, provided that the notary public has been issued a commission number by the secretary of state, all of which shall be in print not smaller than eight-point type.
- The indentations made by the seal embosser or printed by the black inked rubber stamp seal shall not be applied on the notarial certificate or document to be notarized in a manner that will render illegible or incapable of photographic reproduction any of the printed marks or writing on the certificate or document.
- Every notary shall keep an official notarial seal that is the exclusive property of the notary and the seal may not be used by any other person or surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment.
(L. 1977 H.B. 513 § 19, A.L. 1991 H.B. 570, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1193)
