If a notary seal is lost, what must the notary do?

When a notary seal is lost, the notary must report it to The Secretary of State immediately. This requirement is crucial because the notary seal serves as an essential element of a notary's authentication of documents, and its loss could potentially lead to fraudulent activities or misuse. By notifying the Secretary of State promptly, the notary helps ensure that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent any unauthorized use of the lost seal and can initiate the process of obtaining a replacement.

In California, it is not sufficient to simply replace the seal at one's convenience; immediate reporting ensures that the state is aware of the situation and can take necessary steps to protect the integrity of notarizations. Keeping the incident a secret could lead to legal ramifications for the notary if the seal were to be misused, and notifying the signer is not a legal requirement in this context, although it might be advisable in some situations.