I have always considered it to be something I would not do.
I use an embossed seal and state law requires that I deliver certain documents with my seal.
I cannot fax a certificate with an embossed seal to anyone because I would consider that that a violation, because it would not be sealed on their end.
Once it is in the clients possession I really don't care what they do with it, save alter it, which is why I use an embossed seal to begin with.
Am I wrong in my thinking?
I don't use a fax either. I scan them and email them. That way the buyer, seller, mortgage comapny, title company and insurance company get them as quickly as possible. I will follow up with mailing an original to the buyer, since he has the most to gain by keeping in possession. Embrace technology, your clients will appreciate it.
I can convert them to a pdf directly from Open Office so that I can email them with the color photos intact. I explain to people that the legal document has to have my signature AND raised seal to be official, but sometimes, they just need one to file.
Dan, when I use my notary seal (embossed) I lightly ink it with a small pad made just for that purpose. Then it is sealed. Does your state require the use of embossed seals? What about copies of record plans from the registry?
I think that you are over thinking this issue... Fax if necessary and then follow up with the original.....
I may be Don, but hey, better safe than sorry.
I have an ink seal, but I don't really like to use it.
Dan-
IMVHO you are doing what a professional should do.
In Ontario
29. (1) Every professional member shall obtain from the Association the appropriate seal for his or her class of membership. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1026, s. 29 (1); O. Reg. 218/10, s. 15 (1).
(2) A professional member of the Association shall return his or her seal upon the suspension or cancellation of his or her licence or certificate of registration. O. Reg. 218/10, s. 15 (2).
(3) A print of a plan of survey is not a valid copy unless it bears the embossed seal of the licensed member who signed the plan or the embossed seal of a licensed member employed by the corporation or public agency responsible for the plan's preparation or the corporate seal of the corporation holding a certificate of authorization that was responsible for the plan's preparation. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1026, s. 29 (3).
Cheers
Derek
:good:
Reading the above rules, I don't see where it precludes sending electronic information to your clients. A professional looks after his clients needs short of harming the public. I wonder how sending a FEMA certificate via electronically can be construed as unprofessional?
The following note should suffice:
"A fax or e-mail copy of document without the seal of the land surveyor is not a valid copy."
You can make up a little template and attach it right where the seal would go when you fax it.
Write "Signed and sealed hard copy to follow" in the body of the e-mail or on the fax cover sheet.
So, let me get this straight... You refuse to send a copy with a wet stamp to your client either electronically or via fax?
If a surveyor tried to pull that kind of non-sensical "to the letter" rationalization out of their posterior around here, they would most likely see their names removed from the preferred vendor's lists and subsequently start seeing drastic reductions in the amounts of elevation certificates they are requested to perform.
AS3
Scan and email all the time.
Maine's board standards required embossed seals from (I'm guessing) about 1985 - 2000 but then relaxed the standard and they're optional now (here). I have an embossed seal but haven't used it in years. Embossing one's seal probably slightly reduces the risk of fraud, but there have been negligibly few documented cases of this type of fraud involving surveyors' seals (none that I know of), and of course a prospective crook could easily obtain a phony embossed seal if s/he wanted to. I respect Dan's concerns but I guess I'll continue to take the risk and fax/e-mail sealed stuff.
If my board required an embossed seal I'd certainly answer differently.
Dan,
Are you certain that you have to use an embossed seal? I recall being informed by a Louisiana Attorney that professional seals are "optional," and are not required in the State of Louisiana EXCEPT BY A NOTARY PUBLIC.
This entire thread provides a great example of archaic laws based upon archaic principles which run afoul of today's technology. Embossed stamps... Wet stamps... India ink... Original signature over seal with date... are all out of step with the current laws which give preference to digital technology.
If you're entertaining this question at all, it's time to either re-read or update your state statutes. We ought to be able to at least practice in the 20th century as professionals. Maybe a few could try venturing into the 21st~~!!
Last FEMA cert I submitted was sent by email with a digital signature made up of an image of my seal with signature overlay. That was two or three years ago.
JBS
I think Dan prefers to provide an embossed seal.
I use both embossed and ink stamp depending.
I was recently asked to provide 20 original survey documents to a city planning authority.
I used the embossed seal with signed signature/date.
I hand deliver via courier or fed-ex overnight. They get charged for carriage fees.
When I email a copy to a client. I stamp COPY upon it. I do not consider it the original because it has been stamped 'COPY'.
I do not "have to", I "prefer to" as Robert stated.
Up until this latest FEMA certificate came out everyone was required to use an embossed seal, it said so right on the certificate.
Maybe you could try to not sound so condescending and pompous at times, it rubs some people the wrong way. 😉
Talk about "archaic principles"and "out of step laws"?
Why don't we just have every LS digitally fingerprinted and retina-tagged, and use that on any plans submitted?
