Stamps & Certificates

Am I required to have an official stamp?

A notary public is not required to have an official stamp or to affix an official stamp on a record. If a notary public chooses not to affix an official stamp to a notarized record, the notary public shall clearly print or type the notarial act certificate and all accompanying information (i.e., full name, commission number, title of office, expiration date of commission, date of notarial act, type of notarial act, jurisdiction, name of person signing the record). Any combination of official stamp and printing is acceptable as long as all the required information is included in the certificate.

All notarial act certificates must also be signed by the notary public, regardless of whether a stamp is used.

Please note that stamps that include a commission expiration date must be replaced upon expiration of the commission, every two years.

What is required if I do have an official stamp?

The official stamp of a notary public must include the notary public’s legal name, jurisdiction, and commission number issued by the Office of Professional Regulation. Please wait to order your stamp until your Notary Public license is approved by the Office as a new commission number will be issued. Your new commission number will be different from your current commission number. Applications will open in mid-December.

What is an official stamp?

An official stamp is a physical image affixed to or embossed on a tangible record. A stamping device that is capable of affixing to or embossing on a tangible record an official stamp is an acceptable device.

Below are sample official stamps which can be used for a Notary Public Stamp. The shape and style of the stamp may be determined by each notary.

What is my commission number?

Once your Notary application is approved you will be issued a new commission number. Your commission number is also referred to as a “credential number” or “license number”. This number us unique to you and will not change.

How do I find my commission number?

Your commission number may be found on your Notary Commission certificate where it is called a “credential number”. You may look up your commission number using the licensee lookup feature.

How many commission # digits are required to appear on the stamp?

You may list all 10 digits; however, you are only required to list the last 7 digits.

Am I required to purchase supplies and/or packages from an association?

No. Notaries are free to determine what supplies and services they need and where to purchase them as long as those supplies and services are in compliance with Vermont laws.

What is the difference between an ink stamp and embosser?

An ink stamp is a device (i.e. an object) that can imprint a physical, ink-based image on a tangible record. An embosser is a device that imprints a raised, textural image on a tangible record. For the purposes of notarization, an ink stamp or an embosser may be used to affix an official stamp to a record.

Sample "Short Form Certificate"

26 V.S.A. Sec. 5368. Below is a sample “short form certificates” set forth in the Vermont statutes. Please note that the “title of office” is “notary public”.

(1) For an acknowledgment in an individual capacity:

State of Vermont [County] of _____________ This record was acknowledged before me on _____________ by _____________

Date _____________ Name(s) of individual(s)_____________

Signature of notary public _____________

Stamp _____________  [_____________]

Title of office _____________ [My commission expires: _____________]

(2) For an acknowledgment in a representative capacity:

State of Vermont [County] of _____________

This record was acknowledged before me on _____________ by _____________ Date _____________ Name(s) of individual(s) _____________ as _____________ (type of authority, such as officer or trustee) of _____________ (name of party on behalf of whom record was executed).

Signature of notary public _____________

Stamp [_____________]

Title of office _____________ [My commission expires: _____________]

(3) For a verification on oath or affirmation:

State of Vermont [County] of _____________

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on _____________ by _____________

Date _____________

Name(s) of individuals making statement _____________

Signature of notary public _____________

Stamp [_____________]

Title of office _____________ [My commission expires: _____________]

(4) For attesting a signature:

State of Vermont [County] of _____________

Signed [or attested] before me on _____________ by _____________ Date _____________ Name(s) of individual(s) _____________

Signature of notary public _____________

Stamp [_____________]

Title of office _____________ [My commission expires: _____________]

A notary public is responsible for the security of the notary public’s stamping device and shall not allow another individual to use the device to perform a notarial act. If a notary public’s stamping device is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public’s personal representative or guardian shall promptly notify the Office of Professional Regulation upon discovering that the device is lost or stolen.

For more answers to commonly asked questions, please visit our General FAQ page.

For more information, please contact us.