If you change your name, you can use it on your notarial certificate once you do the following.

• A. The notice described above has been received by the appointing clerk of SC, a confirmation of the name change has been received from the clerk, and a new seal with the new name has been obtained
• B. The notice described above has been received by the appointing clerk of SC
• C. A new signature card must be filed
• D. A court order is required

Answer: (A)

Your notary commission is tied to your legal name, and the seal you use must match that name. If you change your name, you must go through the official process to update your records before you can validly use the new name on notarial acts. The correct steps are: have the name change notice received by the appointing clerk, obtain a confirmation from the clerk that the change is recorded, and obtain a new seal that bears the new name. Only after these updates are in place can you issue notarizations under the new name. A court order isn’t required, and filing a signature card isn’t the step needed for changing the name on your notarial acts.