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Notary ink stamp, or embosser?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Mobile Notary Services

I got a call this morning from someone in Colorado Springs requesting mobile notary service. It's Sunday and they didn't know where else to turn. They needed a letter notarized, authorizing the release of a vehicle that was impounded.  The vehicle was in a different state. 

It was a simple, hand-written letter.  But with a notary certificate and notary seal on it, it was what this person needed to get the vehicle released, according to the agency requesting it.

notary ink stamp and embosserColorado notary law permits notaries to use either an ink stamp or an embosser (CRS 12-55-112), so I have both. I keep them in a locked box.  I always ask the customer if the document has to be faxed.  If it does, then the recipient of the fax will need to be able to see the notary seal.  This letter would need to be faxed, so I used an ink stamp for the notarization.  It's possible to still use an embosser by inking the impression.  However using an ink stamp eliminates the need to do that.

Many people prefer the embosser because it looks more 'official', and it's more traditional. A lot of people don't realize that Colorado notaries can use an ink stamp.  Some are even a bit leery, wondering if the stamp is legitimate.

 

notary stamp and embosserIn Colorado, both are acceptable -- ink seal, or embosser.

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  The person asked me if the letter was sufficent.  I told him that I cannot answer that.  As a notary, I may not assist other persons in drafting or completing a document.  Nor can I tell a person what document they need, or advise them as to the legal sufficiency of a document.  (CRS 12-55-110)

 

 

Comments (1)

Mary Ellen Elmore
Nunnelly, TN

In Tennessee embossers are not legal any longer but have a lot of people question why I do not use one.

Mar 07, 2009 09:10 AM