Final answer:
Seals were traditionally used for document authentication, but they can exist independently of a notarial certificate for their beauty or perceived magical properties. Seals have historical significance, symbolizing authority and authenticity beyond legal contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can the seal be used independent of the notarial certificate? Although traditionally, seals were used to authenticate documents, especially when a signature was required, there are other reasons why seals might be used. In some cases, rather than its function in document authentication, a seal was treasured for its aesthetic beauty or attributed magical properties. This suggests that seals can have value beyond their practical, legal use on a notarial certificate.
Historically, when a seal was used on a document, it was rolled on pliable clay to leave behind the positive impression of the images carved into it. Beyond the legal context, seals carried a symbolic significance and were often associated with authority, authenticity, and even protection.
Therefore, while seals are most commonly recognized today for their practical role in legal and official documentation, their cultural and historical importance suggests they may serve a purpose independent of a notarial certificate, such as signifying personal or state authority, or even be valued for purely ornamental reasons.