Official Seal

A California notary's official seal must contain all of the following elements (Government Code §8207):

1. The notary's name as it appears on the commission
2. The words Notary Public
3. The State Seal of California
4. The name of the county where the oath and bond were filed
5. The commission expiration date
6. The sequential identification number (commission number) assigned to the notary
7. The identification number assigned to the seal manufacturer or vendor

The seal must be photographically reproducible when affixed to a document. It may be circular (maximum 2 inches in diameter) or rectangular (maximum 1 inch by 2½ inches), with a serrated or milled edged border.

The seal must be kept under the notary's direct and exclusive control at all times in a locked and secured area. Loss or theft must be reported to the Secretary of State immediately in writing. When the commission is no longer valid, the seal must be destroyed.

Exam Tip: The seal is the exclusive property of the notary, regardless of who purchased it. An employer has no right to demand the seal upon termination. Willful failure to keep the seal under exclusive control is a misdemeanor (Government Code §8228.1). Note that the county on the seal is where the oath and bond were filed, not necessarily where the notary lives or works.