What should a notary do with their seal upon resignation of their commission?

When a notary resigns from their commission, it is essential to ensure that their seal is no longer in circulation to prevent any potential misuse. The correct action is to destroy the seal as soon as practical. This policy is in place to protect the integrity of notarizations and to prevent unauthorized individuals from using the seal for fraudulent purposes. By destroying the seal, the notary effectively eliminates any risk of it being used after their commission has ended.

Maintaining custody of the seal, such as keeping it for future use, can lead to confusion and potential legal issues, as the notary would no longer be authorized to perform notarizations. Giving the seal to another notary or returning it to the manufacturer does not address the concern for security and could lead to complications if the seal were to be misused during the transition. Therefore, the mandate to destroy the seal serves as a critical step in ensuring the proper closure of the notary’s professional responsibilities.