What should a notary do if their notary stamp is lost or stolen?

When a notary stamp is lost or stolen, the correct course of action is to notify the Nevada Secretary of State immediately and take steps to replace the stamp. This is crucial because a notary stamp is an essential tool in performing notarizations, and its loss poses a risk of fraud or unauthorized notarial acts. By reporting the loss to the Secretary of State, the notary helps protect the integrity of notarial acts and ensures that any potential misuse of the stamp can be addressed promptly.

Additionally, replacing the stamp quickly allows the notary to resume their duties without significant delays, maintaining the availability of notary services. The responsibility to inform the state also aligns with the ethical and legal obligations of a notary public to ensure that their tools are safeguarded and used appropriately.

The options that suggest secrecy, continued use of the lost stamp, or halting notarial duties do not address the requirement to protect public trust and uphold the standards set forth in notarial law.