What is the purpose of a notary's official seal?

The official seal of a notary serves the primary purpose of authenticating their notarial acts. When a notary places their seal on a document, it signifies that the notary has verified the identities of the individuals involved and that the notarial acts were performed according to the law. This seal provides a level of assurance to the parties involved and to third parties that the document is indeed valid and recognized as having fulfilled the necessary legal requirements.

Not only does the seal carry the notary's name and title, but it often includes their commission number and expiration date, further reinforcing its validity. This authenticated stamp clearly conveys to anyone reviewing the document that the notary took part in the signing process, and thus, it enhances the trustworthiness of the document.

While the other choices may seem plausible, they do not encompass the fundamental role of the notary's seal. Charging higher fees, guaranteeing identity, or impressing clients does not reflect the primary legal function of the seal in notarization processes. The importance lies in the seal's role in confirming the legitimacy and proper execution of the notarization.