What is the purpose of the notary seal?

The purpose of the notary seal is fundamentally centered around adding authenticity and serving as a legal mark of authority. When a notary public affixes their seal to a document, it signifies that they have verified the identity of the individuals involved and the circumstances under which the document was executed. This seal acts as a form of protection to ensure that the notary's involvement lends legitimacy and trustworthiness to the document.

The seal includes essential information such as the notary's name, the state in which they are commissioned, and sometimes their commission number or expiration date. This specific identification assures recipients of the document that it has been notarized in accordance with legal standards and that the notary is qualified to perform such duties. Thus, the seal plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of legal documents and transactions by confirming that they have been processed according to the required legal protocols.

In contrast, embellishing documents with decorative elements does not align with the seal's practical and legal utility. The seal does not signify approval of the contents beyond the verification of identities and circumstances; its primary function is authentication. While the seal may indicate the date of notarization, this is not its main purpose, which is focused on establishing authority and trust in the document