SEAL
seal,n.1. A fastening that must be broken before access can be obtained; esp., a device or
substance that joins two things, usu. making the seam impervious. — Also termed common-law
seal. 2. A piece of wax, a wafer, or some other substance affixed to the paper or other material on
which a promise, release, or conveyance is written, together with a recital or expression of
intention by which the promisor, releasor, or grantor manifests that a piece of wax, wafer, or other
substance is a seal. • The purpose of a seal is to secure or prove authenticity. 3. A design embossed
or stamped on paper to authenticate, confirm, or attest; an impression or sign that has legal
consequence when applied to an instrument. [Cases: Seals 1.C.J.S. Seals §§ 2–3.]
“The use of the seal in England seems to have begun after the Norman Conquest, spreading
from royalty and a few of the nobility to those of lesser rank. Originally a seal often consisted of
wax bearing the imprint of an individualized signet ring, and in the seventeenth century Lord Coke
said that wax without impression was not a seal. But in the United States the courts have not
required either wax or impression. Impressions directly on the paper were recognized early and are still common for notarial and corporate seals, and gummed wafers have been widely used. In
the absence of statute decisions have divided on the effectiveness of the written or printed word
‘seal,’ the printed initials ‘L.S.’ (locus sigilli, meaning place of the seal), a scrawl made with a pen
(often called a ‘scroll’) and a recital of sealing. Most states in which the seal is still recognized
now have statutes giving effect to one or more such devices.” Restatement (Second) of Contracts §
96 cmt. a (1979).
“The time-honoured form of seal was a blob of wax at the foot of the document, bearing an
imprint of some kind, often a crest or motto. The use of wax was not, however, necessary for a
seal, and any mark or impression on the paper was sufficient as long as it was made with the
intention of affixing a seal. Recent English cases have been willing to find the necessary intention
in circumstances where courts in the past would almost certainly have declined; so much so that it
may now be the common law that a document purporting to be executed as a deed but lacking
actual sealing will be regarded as sealed as long as it contains a printed or written indication of
where the mark or impression constituting the seal should be placed if it were to be affixed.” Peter
Butt, Land Law 481–82 (2d ed. 1988).
corporate seal.A seal adopted by a corporation for executing and authenticating its corporate
and legal instruments. [Cases: Corporations 51. C.J.S. Corporations § 106.]
great seal. 1. The official seal of the United States, of which the Secretary of State is the
custodian. — Also termed seal of the United States. [Cases: United States 5.5.] 2. The official
seal of a particular state. — Also termed seal of the state; state seal. [Cases: States 23. C.J.S.
States § 39.] 3. The official seal of Great Britain, of which the Lord Chancellor is the custodian.
notary seal.See NOTARY SEAL.
private seal.A corporate or individual seal, as distinguished from a public seal. [Cases: Seals
1. C.J.S. Seals §§ 2–3.]
public seal.A seal used to certify documents belonging to a public authority or government
bureau.
quarter seal.A seal (originally a quarter section of the great seal) maintained in the Scotch
chancery to be used on particular grants from the Crown. See great seal (3).
seal of the state.See great seal (2).
seal of the United States.See great seal (1).
state seal.See great seal (2).
wafer seal.A plastic or paper disk, usu. red or gold, affixed to a legal document as a substitute
for a wax seal. • Wafers are more common in the U.K. than in the U.S. — Sometimes shortened to
wafer.
seal,vb.1. To authenticate or execute (a document) by use of a seal. 2. To close (an envelope,
etc.) tightly; to prevent access to (a document, record, etc.). [Blacks Law 8th]