Legal Definitions - public seal

A public seal is a device or substance used to certify documents belonging to a public authority or government bureau. It is used to secure or prove authenticity.

For example, the official seal of the United States is the Great Seal, which is kept by the Secretary of State. It is used to authenticate and confirm legal documents and has legal consequences when applied to an instrument.

Another example is a corporate seal, which is adopted by a corporation for executing and authenticating its corporate and legal instruments.

Public seals can be made of wax, a wafer, or some other substance affixed to the paper or material on which a promise, release, or conveyance is written. The seal can be a design embossed or stamped on paper to authenticate, confirm, or attest.

Overall, a public seal is an important tool for ensuring the authenticity and legality of important documents.