What document is essential for a notary to conduct their duties effectively?

A notary seal is essential for a notary to conduct their duties effectively because it serves as the official mark that authenticates a notarial act. When a notary public affixes their seal to a document, it confirms that they have performed the notarization in accordance with state laws and that the signature on the document is genuine. The seal includes specific information, such as the notary's name, county of commission, and the expiration date of the notary’s commission. This provides legal validity to the documents they notarize and is often required by law for the notarization to be considered valid.

While other items, like a notarial bond or a handbook, can serve useful purposes or enhance the practice of a notary, they are not as critical as the notary seal. The notary seal is the fundamental tool that enables a notary to carry out their official duties and provide a safeguard against fraud. A current office license, while important for the notary's legal ability to perform notarial acts, does not carry the same direct significance in the actual process of notarization as the seal does.