What is a notarial seal?

A notarial seal is fundamentally an engraved stamp that notaries use to authenticate documents. This seal serves as a critical tool in their work, as it provides a visual confirmation that the notary has executed a specific act, such as witnessing signatures or verifying the identity of the individuals involved in a transaction. By imprinting the seal on a document, it creates an official endorsement that assures the authenticity and integrity of that document for legal and administrative purposes.

The seal typically contains essential information such as the notary's name, the state in which they are commissioned, and sometimes their commission number or the expiration date of their commission. This not only identifies the notary public but also adds a layer of security to the document, which helps prevent fraud.

While other options mention elements that relate to the duties and identification of a notary, they do not capture the specific function and importance of the notarial seal in document verification and authentication processes.