Can a notary notarize a document if the signer uses a signature stamp in place of an actual signature?

Study for the Connecticut Notary Public Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your test!

Notarization hinges on the signer personally performing the signing in the notary’s presence and being positively identified. A signature stamp does not show that the signer actually signed the document at that moment, nor does it allow the notary to verify the signer’s intent or presence. The notary must witness the signing or validate the act in real time. If the signer cannot sign, some jurisdictions allow alternatives like signing by mark with witnesses, but using a signature stamp is not an acceptable substitute for notarization. So the signer must sign before or in the presence of the notary.