North Carolina Notary Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

Allowing another person to use a notary's seal is a serious violation of notary laws and ethics. The consequence for such an action typically includes disciplinary action against the notary. This can range from warnings and reprimands to the suspension or revocation of the notary's commission, depending on the severity of the misconduct and any prior infractions.

Disciplinary actions serve to uphold the integrity of the notarial process and maintain public trust. Notaries are entrusted with the authority to verify identities and administer oaths, and permitting unauthorized use of their seal undermines these responsibilities.

Options discussing fines or needing a new seal are not the primary consequences for such an infraction. While a notary could potentially face fines, disciplinary action is a more direct and common response to this violation. The validity of a document notarized with an improperly used seal can be legally questionable, but notaries should focus on adhering strictly to the regulations governing their position to avoid such complications.