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Notary public seals must also embody all of the following attributes:
• Be unique to the person using it;
• Be capable of verification;
• Be under the sole control of the person using it; and
• Be accepted in the same format and appearance as transmitted.
Manufacturers must demonstrate that the proposed seal meets the requirements of
Government Code Section 8207 before the Secretary of State will assign the manufacturer
an identification number. A description of the process that will be used to meet the
requirements must be provided to the Secretary of State. A presentation to the Secretary of
State’s office may also be required in order to meet this requirement.
2. The manufacturer will produce a notary public seal only upon the presentation of a
Certificate of Authorization issued by the Secretary of State providing for the production or
manufacture of that specified seal. A manufacturer may produce a seal based on the
receipt of a facsimile copy of the original Certificate of Authorization but the manufacturer
shall not release possession of the notary public seal until the original Certificate of
Authorization has been received and examined for authenticity. A notary public seal
produced based on the receipt of a facsimile copy of the original Certificate of Authorization
shall be destroyed by the manufacturer if the original Certificate of Authorization is not
received and found to be authentic within thirty (30) days of the seal’s production.
3. The manufacturer shall use the produced or manufactured seal to affix the actual
impression or image of the produced or manufactured seal to the original Certificate of
Authorization and return it to the Secretary of State within thirty (30) days.
4. The manufacturer shall keep a copy of the Certificate of Authorization with the seal image
and a copy of the purchase order for a period of five years. The copies shall be maintained
and be accessible by notary public name, by the commission number assigned to each
notary public by the Secretary of State, or by the date the commission was issued to the
notary public.
5. The manufacturer shall provide the Secretary of State, within thirty (30) days of a written
request, any information within the manufacturer’s possession or control with respect to the
production or manufacture of any notary public seal.
6. The manufacturer shall maintain quality control, within the standards accepted in the
industry, to ensure that all seals produce legible impressions and/or images when used as
directed.
7. The manufacturer shall provide the name, address, telephone number and signature of an
individual who shall, as an agent of the applicant, agree to exercise reasonable care to
ensure that the applicant complies with all provisions of law relating to the production or
manufacture of notary public seals including the terms and conditions set forth in the
application. The Secretary of State shall be notified within thirty days, by certified mail,
return receipt requested, if any of the information stated on the application changes.
8. Notwithstanding any other provision of these procedures and guidelines, a manufacturer
who receives an order for the production or manufacture of more than one style of seal,
with respect to an individual notary public, may contract with another authorized