California Notary Public ExamFees and Miscellaneous ProvisionsMedium
A Notary Public's commission is suspended by the Secretary of State. What is the Notary Public legally required to do with their official seal during the suspension period?
- ADeliver the seal to the county clerk.
- BRetain the seal but not use it.
- CDestroy the seal immediately.
- DDeliver the seal to the Secretary of State.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Deliver the seal to the Secretary of State.
Upon suspension or revocation of a Notary Public's commission, the Notary Public is required to promptly deliver their official seal (and journal) to the Secretary of State.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; the seal must be delivered to the Secretary of State, not the county clerk.
- B. This is incorrect; the seal must be surrendered, not merely retained unused.
- C. While destruction might eventually occur, the immediate requirement is delivery to the Secretary of State.
Seal Surrender (Suspension)
The legal requirement for a California Notary Public to deliver their official Notary seal to the Secretary of State upon suspension of their commission.
- Mandatory by law.
- Ensures the seal cannot be used during suspension.
- Prevents unauthorized notarial acts.
Memory trick: Suspended? Give your seal to the State.