Stamp & Seal

Pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 9B, Iowa Notaries are required by law to have a Notary stamp or seal and use it when notarizing documents. A Notary is responsible for the stamp or seal and shall not allow anyone else to use it. The Secretary of State must be notified immediately if a stamp or seal is lost or stolen.

Iowa Notaries may purchase a stamp or seal through a local rubber stamp company or office supply store. The cost for a stamp or seal varies, but on average the cost is $15.00 - $50.00. For your convenience, we have a list of stamp and seal providers on this Web site.

Using A Stamp or Seal

Iowa law prescribes information that MUST be included on the stamp or seal. For a Notary commissioned by the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, the stamp or seal MUST include the following information:

1. The Notary's name (exactly as it appears on the commission certificate);
2. The words "Notarial Seal" and "Iowa";
3. The words "Commission Number" followed by the commission number; and
4. The words "My Commission Expires" followed by the expiration date or a blank line to write in the date.

If performing notorial acts in respect to electronic records, the electronic device or process used must be capable of attaching to or logically associating with an electronic record. The official stamp used must meet the requirements in Iowa Code Chapter 9B.17.