Notary Seal Requirements for U.S. States and Territories

The list below is a compilation of states that reqire a notary public to validate a certificate of acknowledgement, proof of a written instrument, or a jurat by attaching an official seal. See Texas Government Code Sec. 405.019.

The Office of the Secretary of State has also compiled a detailed list of the statutory references for each state. This information should not be relied on in determining legal requirements for a particular jurisdiction. Please seek counsel of a licensed attorney in the jurisdiction if you have a specific inquiry.

NOTE: Last revised October 2024

State	Seal Required?
Alabama	Y
Alaska	Y
American Samoa	Y
Arizona	Y
Arkansas	Y
California	Y
Colorado	Y
Connecticut	N
Delaware	Y
District of Columbia	Y
Florida	Y
Georgia	Y
Guam	Y
Hawaii	Y
Idaho	Y
Illinois	Y
Indiana	Y
Iowa	Y
Kansas	Y
Kentucky	N
Louisiana	N
Maine	Y (Online Only)
Maryland	Y
Massachusetts	Y
Michigan	N
Minnesota	Y
Mississippi	Y
Missouri	Y

State	Seal Required?
Montana	Y
Nebraska	Y
Nevada	Y
New Hampshire	Y
New Jersey	Y
New Mexico	Y
New York	N
North Carolina	Y
North Dakota	Y
North Marianas	Y
Ohio	Y
Oklahoma	Y
Oregon	Y
Pennsylvania	Y
Puerto Rico	Y
Rhode Island	Y
South Carolina	Y
South Dakota	Y
Tennessee	Y
Texas	Y
Utah	Y
Vermont	N
Virgin Islands	Y
Virginia	Y
Washington	Y
West Virginia	Y
Wisconsin	Y
Wyoming	Y