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Recognising a Valid Seal, Spotting a Forged One
Understanding and Using Your Seal · Lesson 5
A valid notarial seal should match the notary’s official registration records. Four checks will tell you whether a seal, yours or someone else’s, holds up.
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Match the details
Whether physical or digital, the name and SCN on the seal must match the Supreme Court’s register for that notary. The notary register is public, and anyone can verify an SCN against it.
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Check clarity and quality
A genuine foil wafer seal on paper should be clear, with all information visible. A digital seal should display its data clearly, and that data should be verifiable on the electronic notary register.
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Test the security features
Electronic seals may include a visible QR code or embedded timestamp. If present, these should validate correctly, a QR code should link to the notary register or verification service. Every electronically notarised document should also come with a digital transaction certificate. If it is missing, request it.
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4
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Confirm authorised use
Only the commissioned notary is authorised to affix their own seal. A document showing one notary’s name but signed by someone else may be fraudulent. Forgery can also mean using someone else’s SCN, an altered image, or a seal that does not match the prescribed format.
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If you suspect misuse or forgery, report it to info@supremecourt.gov.ng. The Notaries Public Act penalises unauthorised use of a notary seal. Falsely certifying or concealing facts in a notarial document carries heavy fines and up to two years imprisonment.
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