Delaware (DE)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Delaware notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Delaware notary details against the official state database.
Visit Delaware Official Notary Database
How to Research a Delaware Notary
1. Go to https://data.delaware.gov/Licenses-and-Certifications/Notaries-Commissioned-in-Delaware/q8dr-mj6p
2. Use the search/filter functionality to find the notary by name.
3. Verify the commission number and expiration date match.
2. Use the search/filter functionality to find the notary by name.
3. Verify the commission number and expiration date match.
How to Verify a Delaware Notary's Signature
Delaware notaries are appointed by the Governor and regulated by the Secretary of State.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Delaware Notary Public Section at (302) 739-3073, Option 6.
2. For document authentication (e.g., for international use), contact the Division of Corporations for apostille/certification services.
Email: notary@delaware.gov
URL: https://notary.delaware.gov/
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Delaware Notary Public Section at (302) 739-3073, Option 6.
2. For document authentication (e.g., for international use), contact the Division of Corporations for apostille/certification services.
Email: notary@delaware.gov
URL: https://notary.delaware.gov/
Verifying Older Delaware Documents
Delaware publishes an electronic database of notaries on the State's Open Data portal, but it may only contain current commissions.
1. Contact the Delaware Notary Public Section for historical commission verification at (302) 739-3073, Option 6.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Email: notary@delaware.gov
Commission term: 2 years (initial), 2 or 4 years (renewal).
1. Contact the Delaware Notary Public Section for historical commission verification at (302) 739-3073, Option 6.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Email: notary@delaware.gov
Commission term: 2 years (initial), 2 or 4 years (renewal).
Delaware Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Delaware requires a notary seal on all notarized documents. Either an ink stamp or embossed seal is permitted, though an ink stamp is recommended for reproducibility.
Stamp requirements (29 Del. C. §§ 4321–4328):
- Shape: No specific shape or size mandated by statute; round and rectangular are both acceptable
- Must include: Notary's name as commissioned, "Notary Public", "Delaware"
- Ink: Black ink required
- Commission number is not required on the seal by statute
- Delaware notaries are appointed by the Governor and have statewide jurisdiction
Stamp requirements (29 Del. C. §§ 4321–4328):
- Shape: No specific shape or size mandated by statute; round and rectangular are both acceptable
- Must include: Notary's name as commissioned, "Notary Public", "Delaware"
- Ink: Black ink required
- Commission number is not required on the seal by statute
- Delaware notaries are appointed by the Governor and have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a Delaware Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Delaware — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Effective August 1, 2023, all Delaware notaries public are required to maintain a journal of their notarial acts (29 Del. C. § 4330). This requirement applies to both traditional paper notarizations and electronic/remote notarizations.
Journal requirements:
- Mandatory: Each notary must maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts.
- Format: If maintained on tangible medium, the journal must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. If maintained electronically, it must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with Secretary of State rules.
- Required entries: Date and time of notarization, type/title/description of document, signer's name and address, identification method and credential details, fee charged (if any), and signature of signer.
- Security: The notary must keep the journal secure under exclusive control and may not allow it to be used by any other person.
Accessing notary records:
- Delaware law does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals on demand.
- Access to a journal would typically require the notary's voluntary cooperation, a court-issued subpoena duces tecum, or other legal process compelling production.
- Law enforcement and courts may obtain journals through appropriate legal channels during investigations or litigation.
Retention and disposition:
- Retention period: If a notary chooses not to renew their commission, they must retain the journal for 10 years or transmit it to the Delaware Notary Administrator.
- Remote notarization recordings: Audio-visual recordings for remote online notarizations must be retained for at least 10 years.
Key considerations:
- Delaware's journal requirement is relatively new (effective August 1, 2023).
- The notary public database on Delaware's Open Data portal allows verification of a notary's commission status and authority to perform notarial acts: data.delaware.gov
- Lost/stolen journals must be reported to the Delaware Notary Administrator promptly.
Contact:
- Delaware Notary Administrator — (302) 739-4111 (press 3)
- Email: notary@delaware.gov
- Website: notary.delaware.gov
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903
Relevant statutes: 29 Del. C. Chapter 43, Subchapter II (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), § 4330
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Effective August 1, 2023, all Delaware notaries public are required to maintain a journal of their notarial acts (29 Del. C. § 4330). This requirement applies to both traditional paper notarizations and electronic/remote notarizations.
Journal requirements:
- Mandatory: Each notary must maintain only one journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts.
- Format: If maintained on tangible medium, the journal must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. If maintained electronically, it must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with Secretary of State rules.
- Required entries: Date and time of notarization, type/title/description of document, signer's name and address, identification method and credential details, fee charged (if any), and signature of signer.
- Security: The notary must keep the journal secure under exclusive control and may not allow it to be used by any other person.
Accessing notary records:
- Delaware law does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals on demand.
- Access to a journal would typically require the notary's voluntary cooperation, a court-issued subpoena duces tecum, or other legal process compelling production.
- Law enforcement and courts may obtain journals through appropriate legal channels during investigations or litigation.
Retention and disposition:
- Retention period: If a notary chooses not to renew their commission, they must retain the journal for 10 years or transmit it to the Delaware Notary Administrator.
- Remote notarization recordings: Audio-visual recordings for remote online notarizations must be retained for at least 10 years.
Key considerations:
- Delaware's journal requirement is relatively new (effective August 1, 2023).
- The notary public database on Delaware's Open Data portal allows verification of a notary's commission status and authority to perform notarial acts: data.delaware.gov
- Lost/stolen journals must be reported to the Delaware Notary Administrator promptly.
Contact:
- Delaware Notary Administrator — (302) 739-4111 (press 3)
- Email: notary@delaware.gov
- Website: notary.delaware.gov
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903
Relevant statutes: 29 Del. C. Chapter 43, Subchapter II (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), § 4330
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.