The notary seal goes in the bottom right corner of the page where the notary signs
The notary seal — the embossed or inked stamp — belongs in the lower right corner of the document, directly below or beside the notary's signature line. Most documents have a blank space already marked for this. If no space exists, the notary places the seal on the same page as their signature, never on a blank page by itself.
The exact position matters because courts and government offices need to see the seal and the signature together. A seal on page 3 when the signature is on page 1 creates confusion about which document was actually notarized. The seal should be close enough that anyone reading the document when ready sees both the notary's name and their official mark.
Some notaries use an embosser (a metal stamp that creates a raised impression), others use an inked stamp. Both are legal. The seal must be dark enough to photocopy clearly — if it fades or becomes illegible in a copy, the document may be rejected by the receiving office.
Key Takeaways
- Place the notary seal in the bottom right corner of the page where the notary signs, never on a separate blank page.
- The seal should appear on the same page as the notary's signature so both are visible together.
- If the document has a pre-printed space for the seal, use that space; if not, place it in the lower right margin near the signature.
- The seal must be dark and clear enough to photocopy without fading, since many offices will copy the notarized document.
- Some documents require the seal on every page the notary signs; check the specific document's requirements before notarizing.
Multi-page documents and where each seal goes
If a notary signs multiple pages of the same document, the seal goes on each page where the notary's signature appears. A deed, affidavit, or power of attorney might require the notary to sign on page 1 and again on page 3. The seal must accompany each signature.
Some documents specify that the notary seal only appears on the final page. Read the document's instructions or ask the person requesting the notarization before you begin. Banks, courts, and government agencies sometimes have their own rules about seal placement, and following those rules prevents the document from being rejected.
If you are notarizing a long document and the notary only signs once, that single seal goes on the page with that signature. Do not add extra seals to other pages — one seal per signature is the standard.
When the document has a pre-printed notary block
Many legal documents come with a pre-printed box or section labeled "Notary Public" or "Notary Acknowledgment." This block already has lines for the notary's signature, the date, and a space for the seal. Use that space exactly as printed — it is designed to meet legal requirements.
The seal space in a notary block is usually a small rectangle or circle in the lower right corner of the block. If the space is too small for your embosser or stamp, place the seal as close to that space as possible without covering the notary's signature or the document's text.
If the pre-printed block does not have a seal space, the notary places the seal in the bottom right corner of that block, below the signature line. The notary block itself is usually at the bottom of the page, so the seal naturally falls into the lower right area of the document.
Seal placement when there is no notary block
Some documents — particularly older ones or those created outside the legal system — have no notary block at all. In these cases, the notary creates their own space. Sign your name, write the date, and place the seal directly below or to the right of your signature in the bottom right corner of the page.
Leave enough space around the seal so it does not overlap text or the signature. The seal should be fully visible and not cut off by the edge of the page. If the document is going to be photocopied or scanned, make sure the seal will still be readable in the copy.
Some notaries write a short line like "Notary Public" or their state and commission number above or below the seal to make their role clear. This is optional but helpful, especially if the document will be reviewed by someone unfamiliar with notary seals.
Seal placement for electronically notarized documents
If you are notarizing a document electronically or digitally, the seal is usually a digital image placed on the PDF or electronic file. The same rule applies: the digital seal goes on the same page as the notary's electronic signature, in the bottom right corner or in the space designated by the document.
Digital seals must be clear and legible when the document is printed or viewed on screen. Some electronic notarization platforms automatically place the seal in the correct position; others require the notary to position it manually. Check your platform's instructions before notarizing.
The digital seal should include the notary's name, commission number, and expiration date, just as a physical seal does. Make sure all this information is readable in the final document.
Common mistakes that get documents rejected
Placing the seal on a blank page by itself is the most common error. Government offices and courts will reject a document if the seal is not on the same page as the signature. The seal must be visible alongside the notary's name and signature.
Sealing a document before the notary signs it is another frequent problem. The seal always comes after the signature. If the seal is already on the page, the notary signs below or beside it, never above it.
Using a seal that is too faint to photocopy also causes rejection. Test your embosser or stamp on scrap paper before notarizing important documents. If the impression is light or unclear, the receiving office may ask for the document to be notarized again.
Placing the seal so far from the signature that they appear unrelated can raise questions about which document was actually notarized. Keep the seal and signature close together in the same corner of the page.
State-specific rules for seal placement
Most states follow the same general rule: seal in the bottom right corner, on the same page as the signature. However, some states have specific requirements. A few states require the notary's commission number or expiration date to appear near the seal. Others specify the exact size or format of the seal.
If you are notarizing a document that will be used in a different state, research that state's notary rules before you seal it. The person requesting the notarization may know the specific requirements. When in doubt, ask — it is better to clarify before notarizing than to have the document rejected later.
Your state's notary handbook or the Secretary of State's office website lists seal placement rules for your state. Keep a copy of these rules handy when you notarize documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place the notary seal on the back of the page instead of the front?
No. The seal must be on the same side of the page as the notary's signature. If the signature is on the front, the seal goes on the front. Placing the seal on the back makes it unclear which document was notarized and will likely cause the document to be rejected.
What if I accidentally placed the seal in the wrong spot?
The document will need to be notarized again. You cannot move or remove a seal once it has been applied. Ask the person who requested the notarization whether they want you to notarize a fresh copy with the seal in the correct location.
Does the seal have to be perfectly centered in the corner?
No. The seal should be in the bottom right area of the page, on the same page as the signature, but it does not need to be perfectly centered. As long as the seal and signature are clearly visible together and the seal is legible, the placement is acceptable.
Can I use a digital seal on a paper document?
No. A paper document must have a physical seal — either an embossed or inked stamp. A digital seal is only for electronically notarized documents. If you are notarizing a paper document, use your embosser or ink stamp.
What if the document is so small there is no room for the seal in the corner?
Place the seal as close to the bottom right corner as possible without covering the signature or text. If the document is unusually small, you may need to place the seal on the back, but this is rare and should only happen if the front has no space at all. Contact your state's notary office if you encounter this situation.