Is there a set amount of time to stop using your current seal that will expire soon. Ex 07/09/2025. I guess I’m asking is there any benefit to waiting or any penalty of using it so close to expiring. Yes I have my new seal, just using it up to the date! What do the pros say?
Your stamp is good until the day after the expiration date.
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@slcaldwell201 The Easy Answer (for most) is to take out your Notarial Commission (or other authority designating document) and review the dates on that document.
The use of your notarial stamp correlates with the dates that authorizing document identifies for use.
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NOTARIAL STAMP AND/OR EMBOSSER USE BEGINS ON:
===>>> Commission Date
NOTARIAL STAMP AND/OR EMBOSSER USE ENDS ON:
===>>> Expiration Date
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I was just wondering if I should send the docs back to title on the 8th and my stamp expires on the day they receive them on the 9th…would they be frowned upon or I for using it up to the date!!! Maybe I’ll just use the new stamp!
@slcaldwell201 I think you already know the answer . . . 
The germane date is the Date of Use when you were scheduled & working with the client, not the date of receipt within the Title/Escrow Company [T/EC] office.
Ummm . . . this would NOT be a valid choice to make as you’d be utilizing the NEW stamp PRIOR TO the valid interval of dates for use.
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No - use your current stamp until it expires.
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Thanks guys I felt that it would be ok…just wanted additional opinions from the pros, who have been doing this longer than me!!!
@slcaldwell201 Please know that it’s NOT okay to use your new stamp until the actual beginning date of your Notarial Commission renewal.
So, in the instance you identified of using the new stamp a few days before your current stamp expires . . . DON’T DO IT!
Your Signing Appointment is on the 8th.
Your existing stamp expires on the 9th.
It’s your responsibility to utilize your EXISTING STAMP during your Signing Appointment on the 8th.
Hope this makes sense to you.
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NOTE: The date you can begin utilizing your new stamp is when you are meeting with a client on the 10th.
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Check your state requirements. I’m in WA State and ordered my updated stamp from my usual source that also supplies legal stamps for courts, etc. New stamp had note attached “Use your previous stamp until date of expiration”. My stamp expired April 9, 2025.
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I’m not understanding the question. Its there for you in black and white. You can’t use a new stamp unless it’s valid.
Are you in California? If you are, your commission ended on the expiration date.
slcaldwell201, the original poster, has not said what state they are located in. I don’t know where I would look to see the answer “in black and white” without knowing what state laws and rules to look at.
That said, I would state in the certificate the expiration date that’s only a few days away. I chose not to put my expiration date in my official stamp.
Thanks er’ybody, for the record I am in Texas. And I now know to use my renewal stamp on July 10th. I knew you guys would help me get the right answer, I could understand!
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In Texas it’s mandatory to have your commission # & expiration date on the stamper.
That’s probably most states. Can’t get a stamp in WA State without including it.
Use it up until it expires
Then destroy it and use new stamp
Wow! Your new stamp is not good your new commission states, they give you a start date. Legal you can not use it before that date. Which is the date after your old one expires…
I was told by the Commonwealth of Virginia that once I have my new commission, the old commission is no longer valid. That would mean the old seal is no longer valid as well.
@rparker 
Thank You for sharing your direct experience.
Another case in point illustrating the importance of Researching & following the regulations & laws of the State where the Professional Services are to be provided. 
For the case presented by slcaldwell201 (she lives in Texas), the regulations identify the notary stamp is valid for the duration of the notary commission, which is 4 years.
FYI: The Notarial Commissions in Texas are issued by the Secretary of State [SoS]. Review the Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] listing.
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