Your notary seal is the most visible part of every notarization, and in Massachusetts its contents are set by statute. The state does not issue seals, so it is up to you to order one that complies. This guide covers the Massachusetts notary seal and stamp requirements, the signature block that goes with it, electronic seals and what to do when your stamp is out of date.
What must appear on a Massachusetts notary seal
Under M.G.L. c. 222 § 8, every notary must have an official seal, which is the notary's exclusive property and may not be used by anyone else. The seal must show:
- Your name exactly as it appears on your commission;
- The words "notary public";
- "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" or "Massachusetts";
- The expiration date, introduced by the words "My commission expires"; and
- A facsimile of the seal of the Commonwealth.
Check your proof carefully before you order. A seal with a nickname, a missing middle initial that appears on the commission, or the wrong expiration date does not match your commission. Because the seal identifies your commission and its expiration, you need a new one each time you receive a new commission.
Ink color and format
If your seal uses ink, it must be black. Section 8 does not prescribe a particular shape or size, and most Massachusetts notaries use a self-inking or pre-inked rubber stamp because it reproduces clearly on photocopies and scans.
Clarity matters in practice. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office checks that the notary's seal is legible before issuing an apostille, and registry staff need to read your name and expiration date. Press evenly, avoid stamping over text and replace a worn stamp before it smudges.
Signature block: printed name and expiration date
Section 8 also requires that when you take an acknowledgment or administer an oath, you print or type your name directly below your signature and state your commission expiration date, using the words "My commission expires" followed by the date. Your seal does not replace this; do both.
A good habit for every certificate:
- Sign exactly as your name appears on your commission.
- Print or type your name under your signature.
- Write "My commission expires" and the date, even if the stamp also shows it.
- Apply the seal near your signature without covering any text.
When you need a new seal (renewal, name change)
Section 8 requires a new seal:
- When your commission is renewed;
- When you receive a new commission; and
- When your name changes.
For a name change, you must also notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth within 10 days under c. 222 § 25, giving both the old and new information. Before ordering a seal in the new name, contact the Public Records Division (617-727-2836) so your seal matches what is on file. The same office handles questions about ordering a new seal or stamp. See our renewal guide for the full renewal process.
Electronic seals and digital certificates
Since the 2023 amendments, a seal may also be electronic. An electronic seal:
- May be a digital image that looks like a traditional physical seal and contains all the required information;
- May be affixed only by the notary whose name and registration number appear on it;
- Must include the words "Electronically affixed" when generated electronically; and
- Must be attached to or logically associated with the electronic record, together with your electronic signature, through a digital certificate that is independently verifiable and makes later changes evident.
Remote online notarization is not yet operational for Massachusetts notaries; the Secretary has said not to use remote platforms until training and registration open. Check our RON status guide before buying electronic notary tools.
What to do with old seals
When a commission expires, is resigned or is revoked, c. 222 § 24 requires you to destroy or deface all of your notary seals and stamps as soon as reasonably practicable so they cannot be used. Your journals and records, by contrast, must be kept for seven years.
Practical ways to destroy a rubber stamp: cut the rubber die into pieces, or remove it from the mount and deface it so no impression can be made. Do not throw an intact stamp in the trash, where someone could misuse it. When you renew, destroy the old stamp once the new commission and new stamp are in hand.
Will a deed record without a seal?
Often, yes. The Massachusetts Deed Indexing Standards say a missing seal or stamp does not affect recordability as long as the notary signed the acknowledgment and printed their name and commission expiration date below the signature. That is why the signature block matters so much.
This is not a reason to skip the seal. Section 8 still requires one, an apostille requires a legible seal, and out-of-state or foreign recipients may reject a document without one. For deeds and other land documents, see our real estate notarization guide.
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FAQ
What color ink must a Massachusetts notary seal use?
Black. Section 8 requires black ink if the seal uses ink.
Does the state of Massachusetts provide my notary stamp?
No. You order your own seal from a stamp vendor or office supply store, and it must contain the elements required by c. 222 § 8.
Do I need a new stamp when I renew my commission?
Yes. Section 8 requires a new seal on renewal, on a new commission and when your name changes.
What should I do with my old notary stamp?
Destroy or deface it as soon as reasonably practicable after the commission ends so it cannot be used. Keep your journal and records for seven years.
Is a Massachusetts notarization valid without a seal?
The law requires a seal, but the Deed Indexing Standards allow a deed to record without one if the notary's signature, printed name and expiration date appear. Always use your seal anyway.
This guide from Boston Notary Co., a privately operated directory and not a government agency, is general information, not legal advice; confirm current law and procedures with the official sources linked above.