Fix a Blotchy Notary Seal

What would you do if your notary authentication results in a blotchy notary seal? Right off the bat, I should state that you need to be comfortable with your notary stamp. Maybe you just purchased a new one. To prevent the need to fix a blotchy notary seal, practice using the stamp beforehand. Take a blank paper and exercise some practice imprints. Within a very short time, you will develop a “feel” for the amount of pressure you will need to exert. If you do create a blotchy seal, it is a good idea to make a record of it in your Notary Journal.

Let’s say you’ve notarized countless documents. It still makes sense to do a practice imprint before actually stamping the real instrument. In either case, it’s a good idea to destroy those stamped practice sheets.

It wouldn’t be wise to impress your stamp if the document is sitting on top of a stack of papers. That will frequently result in a blotchy notary seal. You need a level surface to help secure a clear image.

Solving the problem

Okay, let’s return to our issue. We all try to be careful. But let’s admit it, we are human. As such, we WILL make mistakes from time to time. So, let’s assume that you made your impression on the document. Doing so, you created a blotchy seal. Or, maybe you simply created a mark that is weak. Now what?

First off, do not attempt to adjust the original imprint. Here’s why. Consider that some type of legal action happens in the future. The court could consider that something fishy took place.

If you need to fix a blotchy notary seal you can certainly execute another (second) seal. Here, it is vital to note that the second seal cannot cover any of the information that is in the document. Equally, it should not cover the first seal.

Let me say this again. It is smart to practice your imprinting procedure.

A good way to avoid a problem is to think before you begin to put pressure on the stamp. By building good habits, you will go a long way in avoiding the potential of printing a bad impression. Hence, it will be very seldom that you will encounter a smeared imprint. A place to buy your notary stamp is Notary Stamp.com

Don’t forget that as a notary, you need to guard against potential liability. A sure way to do that is to be attentive to the notary law. Another problem a notary may face is when he or she encounters a name irregularity.

This site has many blog articles directed at notaries public. Feel free to visit our FAQ page to get answers to common questions. And, if you’re thinking about becoming a Notary Public in New York State, we will prepare you to pass the notary exam. Our New York Notary Exam course has assisted countless students prepare to pass the test.

If you want to know more about the ins and outs of being a notary, you can watch the YouTube video on Notary Law and Ethics by Michael Closen.