Michigan law does not require the use of an embossing seal or an inking seal. Statute does require, however, that a Michigan notary place, next to their official signature, the following information (MCL 55.287):
– Notary name, notary title
– State and County in which the notary is commissioned
– Commission expiration date
– What county they are acting in if not the county of commission
Even though a seal is not required in Michigan, at times it may be used by a notary. The seal may be used to facilitate a sense of a more formal or official notarial act. At other times, having the seal may prevent the document from processing delays and/or even nonacceptance in another state or foreign nation.
There are two types of seals that can be utilized during an in-person notarization, either an embossing seal or an ink seal. Both seals contain the notary’s name, state and county of commission. The traditional embossing seal will physically crimp the document with the notary information, whereas the ink seal simply stamps the surface of the document. While either seal can be used, Michigan statute requires when using an embossing seal, it cannot be used alone with no method of reproduction, nor can either seal cover any wording on the document, nor over the notary’s signature. Finally, while the information is not contained in the seal itself, according to Michigan statute, all notarizations must contain the date the document was notarized and if the notarization was performed using an electronic method. This information can be contained above and/or below the notary’s signature.