What is the purpose of the notary seal?

The notary seal serves the crucial role of authenticating the notarization process. When a notary uses their seal on a document, it signifies that the notary is a registered and duly commissioned official who has performed the required acts of acknowledgment or verification according to state law. This seal acts as a mark of legitimacy, indicating that the signature on the document has been witnessed and verified by a qualified notary public. The presence of the seal reassures parties involved that the notarization follows established legal standards, enhancing the validity and enforceability of the document.

The option regarding decoration does not reflect the intended functional purpose of the seal, as it is not meant to serve as an aesthetic addition. The mention of a reminder for notarial duties misrepresents the seal’s primary role since its purpose is not to guide the notary in their responsibilities. Lastly, while the seal can provide additional evidence of a transaction, it does not serve as a backup for record-keeping as that function is primarily the responsibility of the notary's record book. Hence, the function of the notary seal is specifically focused on authentication and verification of the notarization process.