How to Become a Notary in Illinois
Learn about Illinois notary requirements, commission process, fees, and more. Prepare with AI-powered supplementary training, adaptive quizzes, and a 24/7 AI tutor scoped to Illinois law.
Illinois does not require a pre-commission education course for traditional notaries. However, applicants must be able to read and write English and meet other qualifications under 5 ILCS 312/2-102. Electronic notaries and RON notaries must complete additional approved training. Notary Mentor is supplementary only and does not replace any state-mandated requirements.
Illinois Notary Requirements at a Glance
Key facts about notary commissions in Illinois.
Remote Online Notarization
Journal Requirements
Illinois law under 5 ILCS 312/6-102.5 requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Each entry must include the date and time, the type of act performed, the type and title of the docu...
Fees & Seals
Under 5 ILCS 312/3-104, the maximum fee for notarial acts is $5.00 per act for traditional notarizations and $25.00 for electronic or remote notarizations. The notary seal must include the notary's na...
Key Topics Covered for Illinois
Master these essential areas of Illinois notary law with our AI-powered training platform.
Acknowledgments
Under the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312/6-102), an acknowledgment requires the individual to personally appear before the notary, be identified, and acknowledge that they ...
Journals & Records
Illinois law under 5 ILCS 312/6-102.5 requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Each entry must include the date and time, the type of act performed, the type a...
Identity Verification
Under 5 ILCS 312/6-102(a), a notary must identify the signer through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence. Satisfactory evidence includes a current government-issued identif...
RON Specifics
Illinois authorized Remote Online Notarization through amendments to the Notary Public Act, effective January 1, 2022. Under 5 ILCS 312/6-109, RON allows notaries to perform notari...
Prohibited Acts
Under 5 ILCS 312/7-101 through 7-108, Illinois notaries are prohibited from: notarizing their own signature; notarizing when the signer is not present; notarizing documents in whic...
Fees & Seals
Under 5 ILCS 312/3-104, the maximum fee for notarial acts is $5.00 per act for traditional notarizations and $25.00 for electronic or remote notarizations. The notary seal must inc...
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Illinois
Mistakes that Illinois notaries frequently make — and how to avoid them.
Using the term 'notario publico' in advertising, which violates Illinois law designed to prevent immigration fraud
Failing to keep the journal separate from the employer—the journal belongs to the notary, not the employer
Charging more than $25.00 for an electronic or remote notarization
Not including the county of commission on the notary seal
Performing RON without completing the required additional training and registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about becoming a notary in Illinois.
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