A notary marries and changes their surname. What happens to the commission number and term?

A name change alters how the notary signs and what the seal must read, but it does not disturb the commission itself. The commission number and the expiration date both carry over onto the amended commission, because the underlying appointment — with its oath, its bond and its four-year term — is unchanged. Only the name attached to it is different. The practical steps follow from that: the notary applies for an amended commission, obtains a new seal bearing the new name, and may not use the new name in notarial acts until the amended commission is in hand. Until then the notary continues signing and sealing in the former name, which remains the name on the commission of record. The old seal must be destroyed once the new one is in use. Understanding that the term does not restart matters practically, since a notary two years into a term does not gain a fresh four years by marrying.

A name change produces an amended commission carrying the same commission number and the same expiration date, since the underlying appointment, oath, bond and term are unchanged.

A California notary changing their name applies for an amended commission, which retains the original commission number and expiration date. A new seal must be obtained and the former seal destroyed, and the new name may not be used until the amended commission is received.

New Name, Same Commission. The number and the clock both carry over — only the name changes.

The old seal must be destroyed once the new one is in use, and a certificate of authorization is required to obtain the new seal.

• •Assuming a name change restarts the term
• •Using the new name before the amended commission is received
• •Retaining the former seal after the new one is in use