What should a Notary do if their seal is lost or stolen?

When a Notary discovers that their seal has been lost or stolen, the appropriate course of action is to report the incident to the Department of State and obtain a new seal. This step is crucial for ensuring the integrity of notarizations performed by the Notary. The seal serves as an official mark that verifies the authenticity of the notarized documents, and its loss can lead to potential fraudulent activities or misuse.

By reporting the loss to the Department of State, the Notary is adhering to legal and ethical obligations that help protect both themselves and the public from potential abuse of their notarial authority. Additionally, obtaining a new seal ensures that the Notary can continue to perform their duties without interruption and maintain compliance with state regulations regarding notarization.

Choosing to keep the loss a secret or not reporting it could lead to serious consequences, such as liability issues or legal penalties. Halting notarization duties might not be necessary as long as the seal is reported and replaced promptly. Attempting to retrieve the seal without proper reporting disregards regulations and can further complicate the situation. Thus, the correct response emphasizes the importance of transparency and compliance with state requirements.