What is the purpose of a Notary Public's seal?

The purpose of a Notary Public's seal is to authenticate the Notary's signature. This seal serves as a key element in the notarization process, ensuring that the notarization is legitimate and that the document carries the official endorsement of the Notary. The seal typically includes the Notary's name, the state in which they are commissioned, and the commission number, thereby providing a unique identifier for the Notary that can be verified by interested parties.

When a Notary applies their seal to a document, it empowers the signature with legal significance, confirming that the Notary has verified the identity of the signer and the signing process adhered to proper procedures. This means that the presence of the seal helps to prevent fraud, enhances the document's credibility, and provides assurance to third parties that the notarization was performed in good faith.

While other choices mention elements that might seem relevant, they do not capture the primary and most important legal function of the Notary's seal in the notarization process.