Documenting a Reseal Without Opening the Envelope

Many holders seal paper backups in tamper-evident bags and prefer never to break the seal unless recovery becomes necessary. Custody documentation must still record that someone confirmed the envelope remains intact.

Visual Inspection Protocol

We photograph the seal from two angles under consistent lighting, note the serial number printed on the tamper strip, and record the envelope’s weight if a prior entry established a baseline. The audit entry states “visual inspection only — seal serial T-4421, no breach observed.”

Witness Requirements

For partnership holdings we recommend a second signatory present during inspection. The audit entry names both parties. This satisfies internal controls without anyone handling seed material.

Comparing to Prior Entries

When a register includes earlier photographs or seal numbers, discrepancies surface immediately. A changed serial number triggers a full review conversation before any new entry is finalised.

Limits of Non-Opening Verification

We cannot confirm the paper inside matches a specific wallet address without opening the envelope or comparing against an independent checksum you provide separately. Be explicit in your register about what non-opening verification does and does not establish.

Practical Recommendation

Reseal with a new tamper strip only when necessary — each reseal should generate an audit note explaining why. Frequent reseals without reason create noise in the trail and raise questions for future reviewers.