Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania notaries must use an official rubber stamp seal
- The stamp must be rectangular, maximum 1 inch high by 3.5 inches wide
- Required information includes: Commonwealth of PA, Notary Seal, name, county, expiration
- New regulations require the commission number on the stamp
- Embossers are optional but cannot replace the rubber stamp
Last updated: January 2026
Seal and Stamp Requirements
Pennsylvania requires notaries to use an official seal/stamp to authenticate all notarial acts. The specifications changed under RULONA.
Stamp Specifications
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Type | Rubber stamp (ink stamp) |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Maximum height | 1 inch |
| Maximum width | 3.5 inches |
| Border | Plain border |
| Ink | Must be photographically reproducible |
Required Stamp Information
The stamp must contain (in this order):
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" |
| 2. Notary Seal | "Notary Seal" |
| 3. Notary's Name | "Jane A. Smith, Notary Public" |
| 4. County | "Bucks County" |
| 5. Commission Expiration | "My Commission Expires: Jan 15, 2028" |
| 6. Commission Number | (Required under new regulations) |
Sample Stamp Layout
+------------------------------------------+
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Notary Seal |
| Jane A. Smith |
| Notary Public |
| Bucks County |
| My Commission Expires: Jan 15, 2028 |
| Commission #: 1234567 |
+------------------------------------------+
Embosser (Optional)
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Permitted? | Yes, optional |
| Can replace stamp? | NO - stamp still required |
| Purpose | Additional security |
| Recommended | Yes, for extra protection |
Best Practice: Use both rubber stamp AND embosser for maximum security.
Using the Stamp
| Requirement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Location | Near notary's signature on certificate |
| Legibility | Must be clearly readable |
| Photocopy quality | Must be capable of photographic reproduction |
| Every act | Required on all notarial certificates |
| Pre-stamping | Never pre-stamp blank documents |
Stamp Security
| Security Measure | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Sole control | Only notary handles stamp |
| Secure storage | Lock when not in use |
| No lending | Never lend to anyone |
| Supervision | Never leave unattended during use |
Name Changes
If your name changes:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Notify Department of State within 30 days |
| 2 | Obtain new stamp with new name |
| 3 | Destroy old stamp |
| 4 | Update journal with new information |
Commission Expiration or Revocation
When your commission ends:
| Action | Timing |
|---|---|
| Stop using stamp | Immediately |
| Destroy stamp | Immediately |
| Destroy embosser | Immediately |
| Do NOT reuse | Never use after expiration |
Lost or Stolen Stamp
| Step | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Notify Department of State | Within 15 days |
| Include in notification | Statement that device is not in possession |
| Date of discovery | |
| Order replacement | After notification |
Electronic Seal
For electronic notarizations:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Must contain same information | As rubber stamp |
| Tamper-evident | Cannot be altered |
| Unique to notary | Linked to notary's credentials |
| Meets technology standards | Per Department regulations |
On the Exam
- Stamp required: Yes, rubber stamp
- Size: Max 1 inch x 3.5 inches
- Contents: PA, Notary Seal, name, county, expiration, commission #
- Embosser: Optional, cannot replace stamp
- After expiration: Destroy immediately
- Lost/stolen: Report within 15 days
Test Your Knowledge
What information must appear on a Pennsylvania notary stamp?
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Test Your Knowledge
Can a Pennsylvania notary use an embosser instead of a rubber stamp?
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Test Your Knowledge
What must a notary do with their stamp when their commission expires?
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