Wisconsin Office of the Secretary of State

Chapter 5
Maintenance

Changes

Change of Address

The statutes require that a notary give written notice of any change of address to the Secretary of State within ten (10) days of the change. When you write to the Office of the Secretary of State regarding your change of address, be sure to include your expiration date so the information can be applied to the correct file.

Keeping your address current will also ensure delivery of your commission expiration notice.

Change of Name

If you change your name for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you purchase a new seal or rubber stamp stating your new name (and the words "State of Wisconsin" and Notary Public") and obtain a Change of Name form from the Office of the Secretary of State. You are required to complete and submit the Change of Name form to the Office of the Secretary of State PRIOR to using your new name and seal for notary purposes.

For the remainder of your present commission, however, it is permissible to continue to perform Notarial acts using a previous name if you sign your name exactly as stated on your seal or rubber stamp. A new or different name may not be signed in addition to the previous name, as in parentheses or in a hyphenated manner. For notarization purposes, your signature must always exactly match the name indicated on your official notary stamp or seal that is filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Only the exact name you give and the seal or stamp you provide for filing with this Office may be used for notarization purposes. No other name, seal or stamp may be used when performing Notarial acts unless the Office of the Secretary of State has been notified in writing prior to usage. When you apply for another commission after your current term expires, you may not apply under an old or previous name. Each commission must be applied for and issued in your current last name.

Inked Stamp or Engraved Seal

Both a rubber stamp and/or an engraved seal (embosser) may be used provided that samples are on file in the Office of the Secretary of State prior to use. If you order a second seal/stamp, be sure your name is set forth exactly as it appears on your original seal/stamp. Before using the new seal/stamp, send samples to the Secretary of State's office along with your signature, commission expiration date, and a future date of intended use.

Lost or Stolen Notary Seal or Stamp

Notify the Office of the Secretary of State in writing immediately! Next, order a new seal or stamp that has a different appearance from your previous one. When the new seal/stamp is received, send samples to the office of the Secretary of State before using it. You will receive a date-stamped copy of your letter acknowledging receipt and verifying the approval of your new seal for immediate usage.

Replacement Commission Certificate

A new certificate may be ordered by submitting a written request and $10 fee to the Office of the Secretary of State.

Chapter 5 Quiz


1.		When you purchase a replacement seal/stamp . . .
		as long as it is exactly the same, you can just start using it right away.
		you have to start a new commission.
		you have to notify the Office of the Secretary of State and send examples of the new seal/stamp.


2.		How long after you change your address do you have to notify the Secretary of State?
		10 days.
		1 month.
		60 days.
		Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles or Post Office is satisfactory.


3.		If your notary seal/stamp is lost or stolen . . .
		you can purchase a new seal/stamp and continue to notarize documents.
		your seal/stamp should look exactly the same as the old stamp.
		just sign your name on documents and instead making an impression of the seal/stamp write seal/stamp was lost or stolen.
		you should notify the Secretary of State immediately, then purchase a new seal/stamp that looks different from the original, send in samples, and have them approved before you start notarizing documents.