Stamp

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

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

Using A Stamp

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