Notary Public Underwriters Blog
What To Do With Your Notary Seal When Your Commission Expires?
- Details
- Published: August 21, 2024
Revised 8/21/24
Whether you choose to renew your notary commission or not, when your term expires, you will most likely have a notary ink stamp or embosser seal in your possession. Here are a few tips on how to dispose of your stamp or seal:
For an ink stamp, you can simply pull the rubber piece containing your commission information off the stamp base. Cut the rubber into multiple pieces, as you would with an old credit card, and dispose of those pieces in the trash. Some may feel more comfortable throwing the rubber pieces in separate trash cans. Most Trodat stamp cases are made of recycled plastics, so the stamp case itself could be recycled.
The embossed seal may be a little more difficult to dispose of. You can remove the insert piece by squeezing the two discs together and pulling it out. Once you have the insert out of the handle, bend it back and forth to break it into two separate pieces. The insert die should be made of plastic. You can also carefully deface the two pieces with a hammer or sharp object before recycling or tossing them in the garbage. If you are unable or uncomfortable doing this, you can take your seal to your local sheriff’s or police station and ask them to dispose of it for you.
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