Stamping at Hogsmeade FAQ

So what is stamping?
What if I haven't been stamped? Can I still vote?
What can I get stamped as?
But that's a lot of canon info to know! How do I narrow down the categories to make a choice?
When do apps get dropped? How long do I have to vote?
What kind of points do I get?
How does stamping relate to the bonus/banners?
Wait, I still have questions! Who do I ask?

So what is stamping?
Stamping is just like sorting, except, originally, you get stamped as a character instead of a house. People fill out applications and submit them to the queue. The queue is only open during a set time, usually the weekend prior to the stamping weekend. Stamping weekends only happen once a month and always coincide with Hogsmeade. Only a set number of applications are accepted into the queue per weekend (usually around 40 applications per weekend). Then, when the stamping weekend comes around, the mods drop the applications in batches, just like at Platform. Then everyone else reads the apps and stamps them appropriately, just like sorting!

What if I haven't been stamped? Can I still vote?

You do NOT have to be stamped in order to stamp others' applications. Even if you have an application being dropped, you can still stamp everyone else. You also do not have to know the people being stamped in order to stamp them. It can be helpful, yes, to know the person, but even if you don't know them, you should be able to get at least a bit of a feel for them from their application.

What can I get stamped as?

The first application that everyone must fill out is for an original character. You get stamped as one of many Harry Potter characters with this application. The list of acceptable characters is at the bottom of every character application.

There are also several different themed applications that people can fill out and submit. The current complete list is:

1. Matchmaker: Match the person with a character they are compatible with.
2. Hybrid: Stamp the person as a hybrid of two houses, like Gryffinpuff or Slytherdor.
3. Wizarding Careers: Stamp the person as a magical career, like Auror or Seer.
4. Magical Creatures: Stamp the person as a magical creature, like Hippogriff or Acromantula.
5. Quidditch: Stamp the person as a Quidditch position or related field, like Seeker or Coach.
6. Spells: Stamp the person as a spell, like Confundo or Accio.
7. Potions: Stamp the person as a potion, like Felix Felicis or Polyjuice Potion.
8. Patronus: Stamp a person as their patronus.
9. Inverse: Stamp the person as the character they are least like.
10. Hogwarts Subjects: Stamp the person as a subject at Hogwarts, like DADA or Charms.
11. Deathly Hallows: Stamp the person as one of the Deathly Hallows.
12. Locations: Stamp the person as a Harry Potter location, like Malfoy Manor and Platform

Not every app is available every weekend; sometimes, the stamping mod may not allow certain apps to be posted. Be sure to check that the app you want to submit is an accepted theme before you submit it!

But that's a lot of canon info to know! How do I narrow down the categories to make a choice?

Each application comes with its own list of approved stamps, so you don't have to know every spell or magical creature ever invented. Some, like the spells app, give keywords to define the available stamps; some, like magical creatures, do not. If you're not sure what a certain stamp means, you can always check out The Lexicon for detailed information about each item.

When do apps get dropped? How long do I have to vote?

Around 12-14 apps will be dropped during a batch, once a day for three days. Generally, the first batch will go up the night before or early in the day before the Friday Hogsmeade starts, and then again at the same time Saturday and Sunday. Voting on the apps usually lasts until Monday or Tuesday night, although specific times vary with each weekend, so be sure to check the stamping mod's posts for the official end time!

What kind of points do I get?

Each application is worth 3 points/1 knut. In addition, stamping all of the applications in a given weekend earns you an additional 30pts/15kts! You are still eligible for the bonus if you have an app dropped in the weekend, as long as you stamp all of the other apps! You can also get up to 10 bonus points for owning Magical Me and Who Am I? by Gilderoy Lockhart on the System AND registering them with the stamping mod HERE.

How does stamping relate to the bonus/banners?

Stamping all of the applications during the weekend counts as an "extra" toward the regular participation banner, as well as the bonus. It is also a requirement to get the "superawesome" banner for completing all activities!

Wait, I still have questions! Who do I ask?

If you have a general stamping question, check the stamping FAQ first. You can also contact the stamping mod (