State Seals

In the United States, each state has an official government emblem which serves as a symbolic seal for a functional or legal purpose. The seal of a state is representative of its history, origins, and ideals. The seal of a state is used for authenticating documents of high importance or for ceremonial display, usually issued in the name of the state  by a chief executive in authority. The phrase ‘seal’ is used both for the physical seal itself and more generally for the design impressed upon it.

Also displayed below each emblem is the official USPS 2-Letter Abbreviation Code for each State. Modern two-letter abbreviated codes for the states and territories originated when the Post Office introduced ZIP codes in 1963. The purpose was to make room for ZIP codes in the address, rather than to standardize state abbreviations per se.  Since 1963, only one state abbreviation has changed. Originally Nebraska was “NB”; but, in November 1969, the Post Office changed it to “NE” to avoid confusion with New Brunswick in Canada.

Click on any State Seal below for more info about its function and history.