Pennsylvania Notary Public Practice Exam

What must happen to the stamp upon the death of a Notary?

1. It should be returned to state

2. It should be kept by family

3. It should be disabled

4. It should remain active

The correct answer is: It should be disabled

The correct action regarding a Notary's stamp upon their death is that it should be disabled. This is essential to prevent any unauthorized use of the stamp after the Notary's passing. The stamp represents a person's official capacity to notarize documents, and maintaining its security ensures that it cannot be misused by others. Disabling the stamp ensures that all notarizations performed by the deceased Notary are rendered void, protecting the integrity of the notarization process and preventing potential fraud. The act of disabling the stamp is a critical procedure that upholds public trust in notarial acts and the legal system as a whole. While the option of keeping the stamp by family may seem reasonable at first, it can lead to significant legal complications and possible misuse, which is why the emphasis is placed on disabling it rather than any form of retention or activity. Additionally, returning the stamp to the state is not standard practice, and keeping it active would pose security risks. Therefore, the action of disabling the stamp after a Notary's death is vital for upholding notarial integrity and authority.