When the seal of a court, public officer, or person is required by law to be affixed to any paper, the word “seal” includes an impression of such seal upon the paper alone as well as upon wax or a wafer affixed thereto.
§ 14.“Seal” defined
Preliminary Provisions · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 14 defines “seal” to include an impression stamped directly onto the paper itself, not just an impression made in wax or on a wafer.
Full Text of § 14
Plain-English Summary
Where the law requires a court, officer, or person’s seal to be affixed to a document, Section 14 makes clear the word “seal” covers more than the old wax-and-wafer method.
An impression pressed into the paper alone satisfies the requirement just as well as an impression made on wax or a wafer attached to the paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a seal have to be made in wax to count under California law?
No. Section 14 treats an impression stamped directly into the paper as a valid seal, along with the traditional wax-or-wafer method.
Does Section 14 require an embossed seal?
No. An impression stamped into the paper itself satisfies the definition, without requiring an embossed or wax-based seal.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: definition of seal California lawCCP section 14