 | Wisconsin Notary Handbook
WHO SUPPLIES THE NOTARY SEAL OR STAMP?
It is your responsibility to provide an engraved official seal or official rubber stamp
prior to completing the application form. For supplies, check the yellow pages in
the telephone book under “office supplies”, “rubber stamps”, or “seals”. The seal or
stamp may be of any size or shape, but must state only the words “Notary Public”,
“State of Wisconsin”, and your name. You may use initials, or a shortened first
name if you wish, but you must use your current last name in full. When ordering
your seal or stamp, keep in mind that when you later perform notarial acts, you
must always sign your name exactly as set forth on your notary seal or stamp.
MUST I ALWAYS AFFIX MY OFFICIAL SEAL/STAMP?
Yes! Wisconsin Statutes require all notaries public, including attorneys, to affix a
clear impression of their official notarial seal or stampevery time a notarial act is
performed.
Rarely a preprinted form that requires notarization will state “Notary seal not
required”. A particular filing officer may make that determination for various
administrative reasons. If space on the form permits, you should affix your seal or
stamp as required by the Wisconsin Statutes.
Wisconsin Notary Law
- Every notary public shall provide an
engraved official seal which makes a distinct and legible impression or official
rubber stamp which makes a distinct and legible imprint on paper. The impression
of the seal or the imprint of the rubber stamp shall state only the following: “Notary
Public,” “State of Wisconsin” and the name of the notary. But any notarial seal in
use on August 1, 1959, shall be considered in compliance.
- The impression of the notarial seal upon any instrument or writing or
upon wafer, wax or other adhesive substance and affixed to any instrument or
writing shall be deemed an affixation of the seal, and the imprint of the notarial
rubber stamp upon any instrument or writing shall be deemed an affixation of the
rubber stamp.
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