Page Summary
- A Tennessee notary seal must be circular, with the notary’s name at the top, “Tennessee Notary Public” in the center and the county of election at the bottom.
- Tennessee seal ink can be any color except black or yellow, and it must appear black when photocopied (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-114).
- Seal rules vary by state. Texas, for example, requires a five-pointed star, the notary ID number and the commission expiration date.
- A smudged, cut-off or misplaced seal can get a deed or affidavit rejected, so check the impression before the notary leaves.
- Priority Mobile Notary serves Chattanooga, Hixson and nearby areas. Call (423) 401-8316 to book a mobile appointment.
A notary public seal is the official mark a notary places on a notarized document. It identifies the notary and the commission, and it tells anyone who later reviews the document, such as a recording office, court or lender, that a commissioned notary performed the act. In Tennessee, the design and ink of the seal are set by statute, so a seal that looks fine to the signer can still cause a problem if it does not meet the rules.
Tennessee Seal Checklist (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-114)
The seal design prescribed by the Tennessee Secretary of State is a circle containing three elements:
- Top: the notary’s name exactly as it appears on the commission
- Center: “State of Tennessee Notary Public” or “Tennessee Notary Public”
- Bottom: the county where the notary was elected
The seal may be made with a rubber or other type of stamp. The ink can be any color except black or yellow, but it must be legible and show up as black when photocopied on a non-color copier. The notary buys the seal at their own expense and must surrender it to the county legislative body at resignation or at the end of the term. The Secretary of State’s seal FAQ summarizes these rules.
How Seal Rules Differ From State to State
There is no single national notary stamp. Every state sets its own rules, so a seal that is correct in one state may be wrong in another. For example:
| Requirement | Tennessee | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Circular | Circular (up to 2 inches across) or rectangular (up to 1 inch by 2.5 inches) |
| Required wording | Name, “Tennessee Notary Public,” and county | “Notary Public, State of Texas” around a five-pointed star, name, ID number, and commission expiration date |
| Ink | Any color except black or yellow, and it must photocopy as black | Indelible ink, legible when photographically reproduced |
If a document was notarized in another state, its seal should follow that state’s rules, not Tennessee’s. The Texas Secretary of State publishes a state-by-state seal requirements list that is useful for comparing.
Why a Smudged Seal Can Cause Problems
Offices that record or accept documents, such as a register of deeds, a court clerk or a lender, need to read the seal. A seal that is smeared, cut off at the edge of the page or stamped over the signature may lead them to reject the document. That is especially frustrating with deeds and real estate paperwork, where a rejection can delay a closing. Our list of common notarization mistakes that get documents rejected covers other problems to watch for.
For signers in Chattanooga, Hixson and the surrounding Hamilton County area, Priority Mobile Notary can travel to your home, workplace, hospital or assisted living facility. Karen applies a Tennessee-compliant seal and checks each certificate before she leaves.
Notarial Acts That Carry a Seal
The seal appears on the notarial certificate, the wording that records what the notary did. The most common certificates are:
- Acknowledgments: the signer confirms they signed willingly. These are common on deeds, powers of attorney and contracts.
- Jurats: the signer swears or affirms that the contents are true and signs in front of the notary. These are common on affidavits.
- Oaths and affirmations: a spoken promise of truthfulness, often paired with a jurat.
Not sure which one your document needs? Our guide to acknowledgments vs. jurats explains the difference. The notary cannot choose the certificate type for you, because that decision can have legal consequences.
If You Are a New Notary: Caring for Your Seal
- Buy it yourself, and order it correctly. Tennessee notaries buy their own seal. Double-check that your name matches your commission exactly and that the county shown is your county of election.
- Keep it secure. A lost or misused seal can be used for fraud. Store it where only you can reach it.
- Turn it in when required. Tennessee law requires notaries to surrender the seal to the county legislative body when they resign or when their term ends.
- Test the impression. Before stamping an important document, test on scrap paper so you know the ink is even and the seal will photocopy clearly.
Seals on Deeds and Real Estate Documents
Deeds and other real estate paperwork are recorded with the county register of deeds, so they get close scrutiny. A clean, complete seal is one of the simplest ways to avoid a rejected recording. Priority Mobile Notary regularly notarizes deeds in the Chattanooga area at the signer’s home or office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Tennessee notary use black ink?
No. Tennessee law says the seal may be imprinted in any color except black or yellow. The color must also be clearly legible and appear black on a non-color photocopy.
Is an embosser alone enough in Tennessee?
Tennessee law lets the seal be applied by a rubber or other type of stamp, and the statute focuses on an inked impression that photocopies clearly. Many county offices expect a legible inked seal, so if you use an embosser, it is safest to add an inked stamp as well. Your county clerk can confirm local practice.
What should I check on my notarized document before I leave?
Make sure the seal is fully legible and does not cover any text or signatures. Check that the notary’s signature and commission expiration date appear, and that the certificate names the right county and date.
Need a document notarized with a clear, compliant Tennessee seal? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or request an appointment online.
Priority Mobile Notary Services
Karen McCormick is a Tennessee Notary Public, bonded and insured through the National Notary Association, serving Hixson, Chattanooga and the surrounding communities. This page is general information, not legal advice. Call (423) 401-8316 or email prioritymobilenotaryservices@gmail.com.
