Many people often ask: what is a seal, who needs to use it, and how can it be obtained? This topic is especially important at the stage of starting a business or carrying out legal activity. In this article, we will clarify all the key questions step by step.

What Is A Corporate Seal?

A seal is a special stamp containing the details of an organization or an individual, which is affixed to documents for identification purposes.

A seal usually includes:

• The official name of the organization

• The legal form of the entity (e.g., LLC)

• The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

• Sometimes the legal address

Seals are used to indicate that a document has been issued by a specific organization (to confirm its legitimacy), as well as to provide additional credibility and a formal appearance.

They are often used in banking or contractual relationships.

Who Uses A Corporate Seal?

First of all, it should be noted that in the Republic of Armenia, having a seal is not mandatory by law. However, there are situations where it becomes practically necessary, as it may be required for certain transactions.

Seals are mainly required for legal entities (LLC, CJSC, OJSC, etc.).

Cases When A Seal May Be Required:

• When a bank requires it (for opening an account or certain other transactions)

• When a business partner requires it on a contract

• When participating in tenders or competitions

• When working with foreign organizations

Who Rarely Needs A Seal?

• Individual Entrepreneurs (unless specifically required)

• Natural persons

In these cases, a document has legal force with the director’s signature alone.

Therefore, a seal is mandatory only when specifically required by a particular party or institution. It is not legally compulsory, but in practice it is often necessary for legal entities.

Procedure for Obtaining A Seal

To obtain a seal, you need to apply to any company that manufactures seals and provide the state registration certificate, which contains all key details about the organization.

There are different types of seals:

• Non-automatic (manual) seals

• Portable seals

• Automatic self-inking seals

• Dater stamps

• Colored printing seals

The cost typically ranges from 7,000 to 15,000 AMD, depending on the selected option.

What to Pay Attention to When Ordering a Seal

• The name must exactly match the one registered with the State Register

• The TIN must be indicated without errors

• The legal form (LLC, CJSC, etc.) must be written correctly

• It is advisable to keep the classic round format (unless there is a specific requirement otherwise)

What to Do If You Lose Your Corporate Seal

If a seal is lost, you should first apply to the police and submit an application to the authorized body to have the seal declared invalid. Then you may order a new seal and apply again to the authorized body to have the new seal approved and validated.

Regarding the loss of a seal, you may also publish an announcement in a mass media outlet with a print circulation of no fewer than 1,000 copies, stating that the seal has been lost and is considered invalid. In this case, the new seal must include the letter “D” (Duplicate). Orders for replacement seals are made in accordance with the established procedure.

In conclusion, a seal in Armenia is not mandatory by law but is often practically necessary for legal entities. However, modern digitalization processes are gradually reducing the scope of its mandatory use.