Commonwealth of Virginia Official Notary Seal Guidelines
Virginia law requires a notary to affix a seal or stamp on every document he or she notarizes.
The law specifies that the seal/stamp be sharp, legible, permanent and photographically
reproducible.
A Virginia notary’s seal/stamp must contain:
- The name of the notary exactly as it appears on the
notary’s commission
- The words “Notary Public” and “Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Any
information included on the notary’s seal/stamp must be accurate. The notary cannot
strike through or white-out an area to make a change.
Electronic Notarization (E-Notary)
The electronic notary seal must contain:
- The name of the notary exactly as it appears on the
notary’s commission
- The words “Electronic Notary Public” and “Commonwealth of Virginia”,
- The commission expiration date
- The notary’s registration number.
The physical appearance
of the seal replicates the appearance of an inked seal on paper and shall appear on any visual or
printed representation of the electronic notary certificate.
The seal must be retained under the electronic notary’s sole control.