Types

• North Carolina notaries can choose to use either an official seal or stamp. The two most commonly used are the metal embosser and the self-inking stamp.
  
  

Requirements

• North Carolina notary seals must contain specific information in order to be considered an official seal. The words "Notary Public" must appear on the seal along with the notary’s commissioned name, the county in which he was commissioned and "North Carolina" or its abbreviation.
  
  

Considerations

• Notary seals can be circular or rectangular. There are size restrictions for both. A circular seal can not be more than 2 inches or less than 1 and one-half inches in diameter. A rectangular seal cannot measure more than 1 inch high by 2 and one-half inches long. Both seals need to have visible borders.
  
  

Function

• The official seal or stamp must appear next to the notary’s signature on all notarized documents. The commission expiration date should be included next to the seal and can be handwritten in ink.
  
  

Warning

• If the seal or stamp is lost or stolen the notary to whom the stamp belongs must contact local law enforcement to report the theft. In addition, the notary must notify in writing the county’s register of deeds and North Carolina’s secretary of state.