What It is
An official seal is the stamp or seal applied by a notary, court, government department or company to authenticate a document and confirm the authority under which it was issued or witnessed.
What it is not
It is not a signature, and it is not proof that the content of a document is accurate — it confirms the source or witnessing of the document, not its substance.
Where it is used
Official seals appear on notarised powers of attorney, attested certificates and corporate documents. Receiving parties check that the seal is clear, unaltered and matches the issuing authority.
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Last reviewed: August 2026