How often must a notary change their seal?

A notary must change their seal only when it becomes worn or damaged because the integrity and clarity of the seal are essential for the proper execution of notarial acts. A clear and undamaged seal ensures that the notarization is recognizable and credible, which is critical for legal documents.

Maintaining the quality of the seal prevents potential challenges to the validity of notarial acts, as a worn or damaged seal may lead to confusion or questions regarding the authenticity of the notarization.

While options that suggest changing the seal on a fixed schedule, like annually or every five years, may seem reasonable, they do not reflect the practical needs of a notary. Similarly, changing the seal whenever a notary feels like it is not a sound practice since it could lead to inconsistencies in notarial acts and potential legal issues. Therefore, the correct practice is to replace the seal only as needed, focusing on its condition rather than arbitrary timeframes.