District of Columbia Notary Stamps – Yes! Required

According to D.C. Code § 1-1231.16., notaries are required to keep an official seal. Pursuant to the updated version this code is subsumed under, notarial acts performed on or after December 4, 2018 can use either an inked stamp or seal embosser.

Previously, this was not the case. Embossers had been deemed the only implement capable of producing an official seal in the District of Columbia. Size and form of the seal are yet undefined. The Mayor will issue rules regarding the seal’s size and form at some future date.

Regardless, the official seal of a notary public in the Washington, D.C. will include the notary’s name (exactly as it appears on the commission), the words “District of Columbia”, and the commission expiration date. The impression should be able to be copied together with the record it is attached. This means you will need to use a dark ink if selecting a stamp or purchase an impression inker for the embosser. Contact an appropriate vendor for supplies and custom needs.