New York State Notary Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Upon resigning or being removed from office, a notary must return their notary seal to the state. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the integrity of notarial acts and preventing any potential misuse of the notary’s seal after they have vacated their position. By returning the seal, the notary ensures that it cannot be used improperly by anyone else, thus protecting the public from fraudulent activity and ensuring that all notarial acts are performed by individuals who are legally authorized to do so.

Returning the notary seal is an important aspect of the transition process for notaries, reinforcing the accountability and legal compliance necessary in notarial practice. Other actions, such as notifying local authorities or filing a resignation with the Secretary of State, may be relevant in some contexts but they do not specifically address the crucial need to safeguard the notary seal from potential misuse. Similarly, destroying personal records is not a requirement upon leaving office and may not be advisable in case the former notary needs to reference them in the future.