What should you do with your old notary stamp once your new commission starts?

Once your new notary commission starts, the appropriate action is to destroy your old notary stamp. This ensures that the stamp cannot be used again, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of the notarization process. Using an old stamp could lead to unauthorized or fraudulent use, as someone might attempt to notarize documents without proper authority. Destroying the old stamp prevents any potential misuse and complies with best practices and legal requirements for notaries. Keeping it as a backup or using it for personal documents is not advisable, as it could lead to confusion or legal ramifications if the old stamp were to be misused. Additionally, giving it to a colleague is also not acceptable since each notary seal is specifically tied to the individual’s commission and authority.