You may continue to use your current notary stamp (your stamp that is current when the new notary public law - RULONA - takes effect on Oct. 26), until the expiration of your commission. Then you will be required to obtain a RULONA-compliant official notary stamp.

A RULONA-compliant notary stamp must show the following information in this order:

• The words "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Notary Seal"
• Your name as it appears on your commission and the words "Notary Public"
• The name of the county in which you maintain your office of record
• The date your current commission expires
• The seven-digit commission identification number assigned by the Department of State

No words or terms on your official notary stamp may be abbreviated.

Your stamp may have a maximum height of one inch and width of three and one-half inches and must have a plain border. It may however, be smaller as long as the impression is legible. Additionally, the stamp impression must be capable of being photocopied.

The name of your municipality is no longer required on the RULONA-compliant notary stamp.

Remember: if your notary commission expires after Oct. 26, 2017, you may continue to use your current notary stamp without making any changes to it, until it's time to renew your commission.