When is it necessary for a notary to use the seal?

The necessity for a notary to use a seal is critical in ensuring the authenticity and validity of notarized documents. In California, the use of a notary seal is specifically required for particular types of documents to serve official purposes.

In the case of a California subdivision map, the notary's seal is mandated; the seal provides an additional layer of verification and serves as a mark of authenticity. This is essential in real estate transactions, as it helps establish that the document has been properly executed and recognized by a notary public, which is a legal requirement in such contexts.

While other documents like jurats or powers of attorney may also require notary services, they do not have a mandatory requirement for the notary's seal in all contexts, but rather, it is the use of the seal that is specifically outlined for documents such as subdivision maps. Thus, it is the particular nature of subdivision maps that necessitates the use of the seal, making it an essential component in the certification process for this category of documents.