District of Columbia Official Notary Seal Requirements
In order to take the oath of office, all applicants must bring a Notary Sealer and Seal as described in the
Appointment Notice.
A notary seal makes a raised impression in the paper; affixing or embossing the notary’s seal on a
tangible record.
The notary seal is the physical image affixed or embossed on the document.
District
of Columbia notaries public must use the seal and sealer to complete all notarial acts. In the past, this has been called the embosser. The sealer is
the equipment in which the seal is placed; these used to be called the embosser.
There are five critical thresholds that the embosser must meet:
- The notary public's name, exactly as stated on the commission
- The words "District of Columbia"
- The commission expiration date
- Any other information required by the Mayor
No other language or description is allowed.
A seal impression inker shall be used in conjunction with the official seal, making the impression
legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible. The notary public must ink their raised sealer
embossment, subsequent to its placement on a document, every time, no exceptions.
DC law requires notaries to keep a journal of all notarial acts performed.