What must a notary do to ensure their seal and records are secure?

The requirement for a notary to exercise extreme care in the safekeeping of their seal and records is crucial because these items are essential to the integrity and authenticity of notarial acts. A notary's seal is a unique identifier that signifies the validity of the documents they notarize, and any unauthorized use of the seal could lead to fraud and legal disputes.

Additionally, keeping records secure is vital to ensure that sensitive information contained within those documents remains confidential and protected from unauthorized access. Safeguarding these items typically involves physical security measures, such as using a locked drawer or safe, and ensuring digital records are protected with strong passwords or encryption.

In contrast, placing notarial materials in a public place would increase the risk of theft or misuse. Sharing them with colleagues undermines the security and individuality of the notary's practice, potentially leading to unauthorized access. While storing notarial records on a cloud service might seem convenient, it introduces a different set of security risks and does not guarantee the level of control a notary should maintain over both their seal and records. This makes the approach of exercising extreme care the most appropriate action for ensuring the security of a notary's seal and records.