Section 3.4 - Notary Seal Care

The seal must be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary public and must not be surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment, whether or not the employer paid for the seal, or to any other person. (Government Code section 8207)

If the notary public seal is lost, misplaced, destroyed, damaged or is rendered otherwise unworkable, the notary public must immediately mail or deliver written notice to the Secretary of State. (Government Code section 8207.3(e))

When the notary public commission is no longer valid, the notary public seal must be destroyed to protect the notary public from possible fraudulent use by another. (Government Code section 8207)

If a notary public is convicted of a crime related to notarial misconduct, including the false completion of a notarial certificate or of any felony, the court must revoke the notary public's commission and require the notary public to surrender to the court the notary seal. The court will then forward the notary public's seal to the Secretary of State along with a certified copy of the judgment of conviction. (Government Code section 8214.8)